The largest organ of the human body is our skin. Its general design is of protection of the underlying structures and keep out bacteria that may be dangerous to us. The sensory element of our skin is what allows us to feel hot, cold, and pain to name a few. When we connect our skin with another human beings it registers on that part of our body and in our brain. If it is a safe and kind gesture it also registers in our hearts. Our heart rates will actually slow down when we are in the presence and comforted by someone who cares. The value of being held is seen in a mother’s embrace of her baby, a parent’s gentle pat on the back and a good friends’ warm hug. As an incest survivor I grew up with a very mixed experience of touch. It was hard to know when a kind touch might become something else entirely. Even when it didn’t I learned to be on guard. As an adult I have had to be gentle with myself in recognizing that it takes me a while to feel comfortable to let people close enough and determine whether their touch is safe. Strangely it has been a blessing that I am able to develop a strong relationship with God who does not have a literal physical presence. In my daily prayer and meditation dates I can focus on being in touch with my own body and recognizing God’s presence in that. As an obesity survivor, my recovery has taught me how to not treat my body as the villain I always blamed it for being. Within my heart is a desire to connect more and more with the power of touch as I release the old stories which still show up in my body. I know God never designed the presence of touch to be used for unhealthy purposes. We all experience wounds of different kinds and the more we recognize the intertwining natures we have as energetic beings, the more we can step into the full presence of God for ourselves and each other. With God’s encouragement we can let go of our old attachments to unhealthy or hurtful experiences of touch. No one can do it perfectly, but as my dates have taught me, if we are willing to be the vessel of love our touch will convey that message even in a handshake.
dailydatewithgod 
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