The Healing Touch: 
Francis’ Story

The greatest disease of mankind is not cancer, heart disease, nor diabetes.  It is a disease called loneliness. We all suffer from this condition at one time or another in our lives, but in visiting nursing homes I have realized that loneliness in the elderly is one of the major causes of depression; creating a feeling of worthlessness, and a journey without a purpose.

As I visited the nursing home one day, I saw a woman sitting quietly in her chair.  At first she said nothing when I went up to her.  I pushed her white hair away from her face and the words of God echoed in my heart, “I will be your God through all your lifetime, yes, even when your hair is white with age.” (Isaiah 46:4 TLB) She began to talk as I asked her how she was doing. I was surprised and brokenhearted by her response. She said: “I am old. I am lonely.  And I have no one who cares for me.”

I met Francis at the same nursing home. He was approaching his 90^th birthday. He said, “I would like to hug you but I can’t.  I am too weak.” I responded, “It’s okay, Francis. I will hug you.” I gave him a simple hug…so I thought. His reply evoked a deep remorse in me when he said, “That felt so good.” A simple hug yet it was life-giving to Francis. I wondered how long had it been since someone had touched him tenderly. How long had he waited for a loving embrace?

I sat in that quiet place with Francis, confined to his wheel chair, too weak to reach out to hug anyone but yet yearning for someone to come and embrace him. Francis was starving and like the blind beggar on the roadside as Jesus walked by, Francis was crying out for a ‘touch’ of mercy. (Mark 10:47 NKJ) I took Francis’ hand and held it for a moment. Holding hands with Francis was a simple gesture that seemed to interrupt the fast pace of our technological life.  His hands were wrinkled and worn, yet he held on tight to me. I experienced an awe of reverence for life and found a tender place with him and with my Creator. I began to understand the power in ‘touch’.

The woman with the issue of blood understood the power of touch well when she said, “If I just touch his clothes I will be healed.” (Mark 5:28 NIV) Ironically, as I held Francis’ hand we were both healed. We were communicating on a deep level where words were powerless to truly comfort or produce serenity for the soul. In touch there is healing, for we begin to affirm, comfort, give security and to communicate without words, “I trust you”.

Many times we journey through life and expect to see a blaze of glory in our projects, agendas and visions and miss the opportunities to be kind. Or we look for an exciting adventure and miss a quiet moment comforting a friend. We look for a sensual passion yet miss the tenderness of holding someone’s hand.  We look for a new revelation or astounding theory and miss the simple ‘I love you’. I learned at the nursing home the day I met Francis, that a simple embrace was life-giving.

On Sunday as I sat in my pew at church and lifted my hands to praise an almighty God, the picture of Francis’ hands came to my mind.  I knew that my hands were not only made to praise, but to point the way, to hold a hand, to hug a shoulder who couldn’t hug me back, to work and give to others in need. I knew that I could not only raise my hands to the heavens, in love with my Saviour, but I had to hold out my hands to the world to share His healing touch.

As the Lord showed me Francis amidst the songs of praise, I began to sing a new song. It was a song of hope that one day no one would suffer from loneliness. Everyone would have at least one person to love and care for them, from their first breath until their last.

I encourage all who read the story of ‘Francis’ that you would reach out today and call or visit someone who is alone. Call your local nursing home and volunteer a few hours a week. Adopt a grandmother or grandfather. Make them part of your life or even your family.

Someone is waiting for you…to touch them with your hands of praise…to give them a simple embrace on behalf of the Saviour until the day they pass from this world to the next. 

Since writing this story, Francis has gone on to be with Jesus and is now, eternally, touched by the Master’s hand.

www.conniehale.com

mail@conniehale.com