Have you ever been to a palmist to have your hands read? The palmist professes to read your character and even to foretell your future by a study of your hands.
Author John R. Gunn writes, "I have no faith in the methods and claims of the palmist, but there is something in the hand and the touch that helps to reveal one's character. Almost instinctively you judge a man's disposition by the way he shakes hands with you."
You will recall the story of the lame man who sat at the temple gates asking for alms - Peter and John came along and the man looked up expecting to receive money from them. Peter said, Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, give I thee. And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up. Immediately, the man who had been lame from birth was healed and could walk and run. Apart from the miraculous element in the healing of this man, there was strength and warmth in Peter's hand that was conveyed to the lame man. And the moment he felt the touch of Peter's hand, a new faith was kindled; a new hope was lighted.
The only silent method next to a look of communicating our feelings is through touch. Touch may be vulgar and degrading or it may be ennobling and uplifting. Nothing gives such assurance and sustenance to the spirit as the grip of a firm hand.
There are times when touch is the only way left to us of conveying sympathy and comfort. You meet a friend who is in great sorrow and you cannot put into words the sympathy you feel in your heart. The best you can do is to extend a warm hand clasp that needs no words to explain its meaning. You can add immensely to your usefulness if you put feeling and meaning in the grasp of your hands.
Great is the helpfulness in a warm handclasp.