Scripture

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” He said. “Be healed!”

~Mark 1:41, NLT

Quote

Jesus taught us by His example that often the best way to help the hurting and the poor is to touch them with His compassion.

~Billy Graham

Covid has changed many things. Lisa and Teddy gave me a T-shirt that reads…Normal is not coming back but Jesus is! I agree whole heartedly. A few months ago, I bumped into an old friend who was wearing a mask but I recognized him immediately. I move toward him to shake his hand but he moved away from me and finally held up his hands as if to say, “don’t touch me.” It was then that I realized that he was afraid to touch me. It made me feel unclean. Can you imagine what the lepers felt as they were forced by law to cry out “Unclean, unclean,” if anyone came near them. How long had it been since anyone had touched the leper in today’s text: a month, a year, ten years. Jesus did the one thing no one else would do, He touched the leper. Don’t underestimate the power of small things like a smile or a gentle touch.

Several years ago, I was making a pastoral visit. I was visiting an older couple who were in the midst of a very stressful ordeal. As soon as I walked in, the woman said with tears in her eyes, “Bro. Jack, I need a hug.” Hey, we all need a hug from time to time. Who will you touch with the compassion of Christ today? Perhaps it is someone battling an illness or maybe fighting depression. There is someone out there who needs a compassionate touch today. You mission is to find them and touch them with the love of Jesus.

Extra

Sarah Hooper is not doing well: she is very low and weak. Their plans are to get her home. but I don’t know that they were able. It’s too early to call but I will check it out later. Kay Edmonson is still hanging in there with good days and bad days: LORD willing, I will be going over to see him this morning. I will check on everyone else tomorrow which is my visiting day for retirement homes. I do appreciate Terri and Carol visiting for me last week.

I got a shot in the palm of my hand yesterday. For a few seconds, I was in agony. I can’t image Jesus suffering that kind of pain for six hours. I am comforted by the fact that He will not have to do it again…It is finished, hallelujah! I am typing with both hands today. We are going to try therapy for 6 weeks and see if that helps.

Tried to download a pic of the greats but suddenly my computer requires a program to covert pics so I will have to wait until Josie can help. They are growing like weeds.

Have a great day and thanks for reading the blog.