The first day I started underlining every so often, now I am folding down page corners, reminding myself of where to start re-reading.
This is a unique read on how we can go beyond merely smiling at each other in church situations. I am so glad I have known loving pastors, whose handshake means a lot, whose hugs are firm, and whose eyes look with love on each person they survey. Chaplain Edgren, Chaplain Bell, Rev. Vicki Lumpkin, Ch. Morrow, Pastor John Turlington.
And it really has caused me to stop and think, am I being part of a problem, or am I being part of a solution.

https://www.handlewithcarebook.com/ #HWCBook

main takeaway so far is that one must learn to be honest with oneself.
Ok, I bet you think you are honest, but are you REALLY honest about what has happened in your life to date, whether it be 20 years or 80 years? What we are, who we are, is formed by what we have been, who we have been.
Me? I have been daughter, sister, student, wife, mother, grandmother, and ALSO teacher, gardener, friend, singer, musician, Christian.
It all evolved, and this book Handle with Care, reminds us that the CARE part if so very important. Now after being honest with myself, there is indeed more caring I can do in this part of God's world.

Handle with care by Lore Ferguson Wilbert is a book about a topic that I have never heard or seen before. It’s about the theology of touch. It’s a topic that i think should be studied and explored. This book is deep and has challenged me to ponder on how I’ve always thought about “touch” and why I think and feel this way. I would recommend this book to anyone who is in the church.

earc from netgalley.

interesting book about a topic that very much needs to be addressed. if it looks interesting, go for it!

Have you ever thought about the word “touch” and what does the Bible say about it? In all honesty, I have not, and if you were to ask me about it ~ I am one of those people who like space, someone who puts up imaginary boundary lines, not really a hugging type of person. I am sure this is a weakness of mine and I really don’t have much of an answer as to why I am this way until I read this book. I know there are others out there similar to me, but we can’t begin to understand why someone else is the way they are, unless you have lived their life, understood their circumstances, know about their past, feelings, etc… Which is so important to remember and something she shares about. She tackles this tough topic in a very Biblical way, while also sharing her personal experience and research of the subject. Lore provided me with a lot to think about and learn. She makes a point to share in the beginning her purpose of this book: 
“The grandness of God, His love for you, His love for others, and how that should inform how you think about and practice touch…to make you think about how you touch, who you touch, why you touch, where you touch, when you touch, and what you touch – but never to tell you…but point you to Christ and implore you to think about how He was touched and touched others, and to allow His actions and His love for you to bear weight on how you give and receive touch.”
In this book, she talks about many of the root problems we have about touch and some of the confusion out there. Where society sometimes gets it wrong, how our history affects us. Of course, this topic can be difficult to some, especially if you have dealt with abuse or been assaults. Lore addresses these areas in a compassionate and healthy way. 
Couple of my favorite quotes I took from the book:
To be like Jesus, we must submit to the reality that we have physical limitations and requirements for our bodies to function and carry out the vocation and purpose God has intended. 
Ministering touch done in the light is a good and glorious thing.
If we are children of God and we know we are loved, then we ought at first to love God. But part of loving God much means generously loving others – particularly those who are marginalized. 
I can see this book being really great and helpful for church leaders, counselors, and missionaries especially. However, I also found much to learn from and gain from her experience and the wisdom she brings to it.

I don’t touch people. That has been my default response after 14 years of teaching public high school students. It just wasn’t at school where I refrained from touching people, but in all areas of my life since as long as I can remember. There are those few moments and those few people who have broken through that tough outer shell that I have built for decades, but those are few and far between.
Then when I stared reading Lore Ferguson Wilbert’s new book Handle With Care, I became more aware of how much physical, non-sexual, touch is needed by people today. My eyes became opened to those around me who are aching for any kind of physical interaction, but because of too many societal fears haven’t been able to ask for the touch that they need. 
Handle With Care isn’t just a book about touching. It is also a book about becoming more Christ like and Christ centered in our relationships with others. Jesus came into this world in flesh and physically interacted with us. He touched the unclean when words would have been enough to do the job. He let himself be touched by the outcasts of society. He touched his disciples’ feet; even the one who would betray him. If we are to be more like Christ, we have to humbly be like Christ and be willing to use appropriate touch when others are in need. 
 Mrs. Wilbert challenges me to think about my physical interaction with others, but not in a condemning way. The challenge is to be more like Christ in the way I touch my husband, my children, my friends (single and married), and strangers that I meet. This book will keep you thinking about it for days to come.

I received this book through Instagram and NetGalley. I was accepted as one of the launch team members for this book and asked to give an honest opinion. I was directed to NetGalley for a review copy and to the Facebook discussion group page where we can comment. I am awaiting a free print copy from the publisher upon publication. 
All comments and opinions are my own.
Touch, to touch and be touched is a human need. We are born with it, do not thrive without it. In this culture of the #metoo movement, how do we accept or give righteous touch. Touch that is wholesome, pure and loving is possible. Threat or fear clouds our thinking and we are concerned touch may be misconstrued. 
In this timely and necessary book, we learn that the past and times of improper touch can be redeemed, bringing healing to relationships we now have. The book addresses all ages, all relationship status and shows the way Jesus used to touch the bodies and spirits bringing life, hope, joy, peace, comfort, and healing to all be had contact with. The book also deals with improper conduct of touch; that which seems to harm, manipulate or control others.  How do we heal when these kinds of touches invade the soul? 
I really was conflicted and convicted by this book as a Christian. I needed every word. As I seek to grow closer to God, and my church family; I will remember these words as apply them as needed. This book changes the way I approached the topic of touch. 
I highly recommend this book to pastoral care ministers and laypeople of the church, teachers and parents, singles and married alike.