The Power of Touch

It has only been a couple of years since my Father passed away, but I can still feel his touch in my heart. His hands were strong, but loving. The other day I was driving down the road with my eight year old son, Malachi. The radio was playing, windows were down, and it was a beautiful spring day. Every few minutes I would reach over and rub his ol' head or pat him on the knee. It brought back memories of riding down the road with Daddy. I was the kid then, receiving the father's pat.  I am a very compassionate person. I have been known to overwhelm my wife with affection, but I cannot help it. I have what my wife calls the Davis pat, where when I love on them I naturally give a pat on the back. It's been captured in family videos, and God forbid you get the Davis family together...whole lot of patting going on. As Malachi and I journeyed down the road the other day, something happen that took me back to me and my Daddy. I had my hand rested on Malachi's knee as we were driving down the road, and suddenly Malachi put his hand on top of mine and begins to study my hand. He kept it there forever it seemed, looking at my hand without saying a word. I just watched as I was taken back. In my mind it was me all over again with my Daddy, studying his hand. 

David wrote about the hand of God in Psalm 18:35 saying this, "You have given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great." I do believe that we are to teach our children about life and the ways of the Lord. There is a lifetime of things to learn and teach, but sometimes there are things that we learn by simply sitting in the presence of each other. My father may have not shown me some things during important times in my childhood, but there was something understood without a word being spoken. Holding his hand gave me something that he alone could not put into words. I miss holding your hand Daddy. What I would give for a big hug from you. But the memories of hugging you and holding your hand, feeling your pat, are strong, and if I think on those times with you, I can feel your hand. I miss your hand. So until I hold your hand again, I have mine in the Father's. His hand will lead my back to yours one day.   

 

Comments

[One Wink]

Joey, there have been many times that your writing has touched my soul or left me speechless... This one even moved me to tears.
Having lost my own father 11 years ago this month, I've found my thoughts turning to him over and over lately. But I think even if it were not for this, your post would have moved me as much.
Thank you for this, I will read it more than once.
It's a rare man who can and will be as open and honest as this and I have a great deal of respect for you. Malachi, I hope, will inherit this heartfelt legacy from you and your own father.

[Sarah]

Awesome post pops. I think it is so cool that your fathers legacy runs through your veins and is as tangable as as Malachi's hand. Thanks for being the voice of many.