Buying a new pair of shoes or new dress is a bit closer to feeding the soul—depending upon the feeling these items bring but this immediately means these CANNOT be purchased for their status value. Status is simply a position. Status has no feeling. Trying to make a visual or social impression or convince ourselves of worth through the accumulation of certain things touch no part deep part of ourselves--or others.
Touch Time is about touching and being touched. Ten minutes of touch-time is worth an hour of mall shopping and a trunk full of new things on any day because touching is what our soul-body connection hungers to receive. Touch-time can be flesh touching as in rocking babies in a hospital nursery, counseling a young mother, or massaging hand cream into another woman’s hands.This last is something I enjoy doing while praying for another woman.
As a Reiki Master I practice Reiki on myself on a regular basis. This kind of touch is for the purpose of healing but all nurturing touch conveys God's healing presence.
Let me tell you another way I do this: I always ask permission of a sister-friend. It is not a good idea to assume a sister would welcome being touched – we are always at such different places in our development and this can even vary from day to day.
Luckily, I have never had a woman say no when I asked if I could touch her hands. I heat about a tablespoon of virgin olive oil in a small microwave proof dish. To this heated oil I will add a touch--just a touch of an essential oil. I like the combination of clary sage and cedar wood.
I begin with a talking prayer that shares the wonderful virtues I know this particular woman possesses. She is always offering a service – whether through a professional or volunteer vocation, I know of her enough to praise God for her service. I inform her of how her hands are symbolic of all her service – all that she gives from a generous heart. I will stroke each finger, and apply gentle pressure to each soft web between the bases of her fingers as I praise Godde for her being a vessel of God’s grace.
I will gently knead the mounds of her palms as I tell her of God’s love and her testimony of that love. I ask Godde to continue to strengthen my sister, to keep her clearly focused on Jesus who is the author and finisher of her faith. And, then I will stroke the back of her hand, gently massaging her knuckles as I thank her for being such a gift.
Such touch times are remembered as an intimate time, a worship time, that would be totally impossible if it were not about touch. I believe any touch time can be turned into a worship time.Care for self can also mean a woman carves out her own space and time. Every woman needs her own space and time. It can be a small altar area in her own flower garden. I have settled on one after many years of searching.
