Use Your Hands to Touch a Heart
The laundry room door cracked open.
I could see her inside the room, tenderly folding each piece of clothing more gingerly than I fold my own family’s clothes. When she had put them all in the basket, she tiptoed out of the room, not disturbing the concert in progress in the activity room.
It’s a high touch position.
No need to apply if you’re afraid to get close.
It’s been a few years ago, but I still remember it clearly. I was there that day as a proud fan. My daughter was singing with her grandfather’s Butterbean Band at this assisted living facility. It housed a family friend, giving me double reasons to attend this day’s performance.
I can’t help but watch the workers when I visit homes like this for the elderly and disabled.
It may be the patients and family who pay the bills, but it’s the everyday workers who keep things humming.
- It’s the nurse who makes rounds with her little cups of pills, each specific to a resident.
- It’s the aide who pushes the elderly gentleman’s wheelchair into line so he can listen to the band with the gathering crowd.
- It’s the activity director who breezes in and out to joke with the residents, distributing hugs, and ensuring everyone is having fun.
And it’s the young woman who goes into each room to empty individual hampers, washes and dries and separates each article of clothing, then tiptoes back into rooms to return each item to the right drawer and closet where it belongs.
You can’t hold down these jobs without using your hands—to move, to work, to love.
Without the human touch, it’d be an empty place.
To touch hearts, sometimes you have to use your hands.
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How can you use your hands this week to touch a heart? Please share in the comments.
revised from the archives
- Embracing the Freedom of an Early Start
- Bridge the Divide: 4 Ways to Love Your Politically Opposite Neighbor
Hi Lisa! It is so essential we give “hands” to what our words are saying. People who work in assisted-living or nursing homes are often unsung heroes. They need a shout out. So…here’s a shout out to Crystal…one of the young ladies from the church I pastor who has shown the heart of grace to others after learning it herself. You, Lisa, are another one who has learned that lesson as well.
Hi Lisa! What a lovely photo of your daughter and your father. Their faces have such joy on them!
I am not active in my nursing career now, but I know I used my hands all the time. Now, my hands work at home, dial up my children for a talk, prepare a dinner once a week for my dad. Quieter, more behind the scenes, but all of it important to keeping up connections. And isn’t that what we need to do?
Blessings,
Ceil
What a beautiful picture you’ve shared here! Jesus works through others’ hands. I love how the worker laundered and carefully folded the clothing – all without needing to be noticed. That’s what I strive for. Serving without being noticed. Thank you for sharing!
Lisa,
When my grandmother spent the last months of her life in a nursing facility it was one of the most difficult times for me as an adult. To see her declining rapidly, life leaving her body, I was protective of her sweet special self and found myself watching the workers like a hawk. Literally. My idea of what it would look like and did were two different things, thankfully. I saw, like you, the touch that brought hope, healing and life in the midst of hard and it filled my own heart with peace. I was thankful the Lord brought special people to care for her as her days were nearing completion.
🙂 Blessings,
Dawn
Dear Lisa … what a beautiful, touching ode to those who reach out to touch those in their later years. Leaving one’s home sweet home is a scary, daunting prospect.
To find oneself in a haven such as you’ve described today would be a soothing blessing indeed …
Again, a beautifully touching story about the calling of servanthood. And yes, being a servant sometimes requires *getting into the trenches* and doing the less-glamorous stuff.
This week I am going down to visit my mom again. I will remember your words, and make a more mindful effort to hug my mom, give her kisses, and let my hands speak to her of my care and love.
GOD BLESS!
Look at those smiles. Joy radiating.
I think the loudest expression of love without using words is through service. 🙂
You are so right, Lisa! I am currently reading A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink and he talks much about the value of people who operate in High Touch, High Concept gifts and skills. He notes these are the areas most needed as we draw to a close of the Information age and move to the Conceptual Age. There are also so many who don’t have the benefit of touch who need it. Widows, children, seniors all benefit so much from a hug or a hand on the shoulder or a pat on the back.
what a beautiful post. used my hands in pushing a little girl on a new rope swing today. her brother too.
My grandmother became blind and partially deaf before her death. She LOVED to have someone brush her hair and put a little blush on her cheeks. It lifted her spirit.
Love the photo. Brings back memories of the summer I worked in long term care while studying to be a nurse. They taught me so much especially to care, touch and love these living treasures we have. This post blessed me tonight. Thanks Lisa
I so appreciate the perspective in which you look at life. Seeing the things that most people don’t is a gift from God. You see what He sees.
Your message is lovely and takes the everyday stuff to a new level. I use my hands in a lot of ways these days to serve my family. I get text messages often like this morning when my daughter asked for prayer as she drove her husband to the ER and I sent a text back. I will apply your message of cheerful service.
Thank you, Lisa, for this reminder of the connection between hands and heart – I do a lot of “handy” work around the house, but often forget it’s an extension of my love.
“To touch hearts sometimes you have to use your hands”. Beautiful!
The experiences you shared from the nursing home perfectly illustrated what it means to “touch hearts with your hands”, and was an encouragement to me to serve with my hands more.
Thank you so much for this very edifying post.
Hands on love.
I need this reminder as my boys get bigger and appear to need me less and less. It’s still the unseen acts of service that say love to them — a treat in their lunch, a “rush job” on a needed piece of laundry. I want to have the servant’s heart that makes this happen quietly and with love.
So true! I was just reminded through your post of a gal at church who is constantly serving, hands on, in so many ways. She has a huge heart to serve and your post has urged me to use my own hands to write her a note telling her how loved and appreciated she is.
You may not have used a physical touch here to grab my heart, but your words did, Lisa. May we all take humble joy in helping others when opportunities present themselves to us.
Blessings!
Everyone’s hands have a part to play, no matter the tasks. I used to say there are no small jobs, just different ones. You’ve inspired me to be intentional to be the hands (and feet) of Jesus’ way to day.
I agree with Martha your words do touch hearts too Lisa! the value of the human touch is so important. I remember reading once that the population that receives the least amount of human contact is the elderly. Perhaps that is why we die?
Beautiful, Lisa, and oh so true. And these dear souls are often abandoned by their families, and dying foremost of loneliness. Sheridan and I used to sing at an Alzheimer’s Day Care center when she was small. We didn’t use our hands, but our voices. Hands to touch, voices to sing or talk, ears to listen, eyes to see everyone as a valuable creation of God . . . . they all spell connection and presence which are indispensable to our humanity. Jesus–God-Man–understood that, and with His hands He blessed, whether loaves and fishes, children, lepers, blind beggars, adulteresses, dead corpses. He knew that it is in touching others, whether literally or figuratively, we bring healing and best emulate our Master. Thank you so much for touching us with your words and example.
Love
Lynn
Great thoughts, Lisa. Our hands make such an impact on the lives of others. That would be a great post to expand on.
What lovely thoughts you’ve shared Lisa! I enjoyed this especially as my father was in aged care for a few years and the staff can make or break it. #weekendcoffeeshare
Great coffee share post, Lisa. Thanks for sharing.
Staff who work at aged care facilities are essential and make a difference in the residents’ lives and their loved ones. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
I loved this post, Lisa. I have had occasion to be a patient for rehab in a facility and it’s the people using their hands day in and day out that make it a place of caring.
I will be using my hands this week to care for our home and my husband. It’s the ministry God has given me for this season of life.
Your story gave examples of people humbly working, outside the spotlight. It encourages humility–quietly helping where there is a need. I want to grow in this area.
What a great reminder, Lisa!
What a lovely way to be grateful and help us to remember how much work goes into making life smooth and comfortable. We take so much for granted, don’t we?
Congrats, just to let you know that your post will be featured on Monday at SSPS 319. https://esmesalon.com/tag/seniorsalonpitstop/