How to Keep Your Balance During This Christmas Week

(or….Why you should hug your scary-looking, tattooed, pot-bellied, bearded, and pierced buddy.)

At the close of this week’s church service the pastor had us stand and close our eyes. After a few seconds I found myself swaying, my balance off kilter.

I reached out, eyes still shut, and touched the pew in front of me with just the tip of one finger. Immediately my sense of balance was restored.

Scientific studies prove that we are physically and emotionally healthier if we experience consistent and loving touch. God has created us to receive and to give touch. A gentle touch on our arm, a warm arm around our shoulders, or a bear hug reconnect us with other people, with our surroundings, with ourselves. Touch brings us back into balance.

We. Need. Touch.

We will all feel a bit out of balance this week with busy schedules, too many places to be, and a few crazy relatives to endure. (Just remember, someone considers you their crazy relative!)  Anyway, when we feel out of balance this week, let’s reach out and touch. Squeeze a friend’s arm. Give your spouse an unexpected hug. Cuddle with your child. Rumple your teen’s hair. Grab your scary-looking, tattooed, pot-bellied, bearded, and pierced buddy and give him the bear hug of his life.

Now you may not like what I’m getting ready to say. I don’t like what I’m getting ready to say! But we do have moments, hours, or even days, when we long for touch but there is none. Those moments, hours, or days hurt. And I believe God hurts with us during those times. Those times may be the best times to remember the touch of Emmanuel, Jesus who became “God with us.” God who promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) Accepting the touch of his presence keeps us more balanced than any other touch.

But it still doesn’t hurt to give your scary-looking, tattooed, pot-bellied, bearded, and pierced buddy a bear hug. He’ll probably hug you so tightly in return that you really will lose your balance!