Monday, October 25, 2021

The Best Hugs

I went to visit a friend of mine after church yesterday. When we see each other, my friend usually gives me a hug. I don't mind. He gives the best hugs and here's why.

There are many different types of hugs. There's the "I've missed you" hug for example. It's happy and grateful - a little tighter and longer that a typical hug.

Then there's the "good bye" hug. These hugs can linger for a while, lasting longer because we know we won't see them for a while. Good bye hugs are sad, yet beautiful.

There's also the "polite" hug. This is when you feel like you should hug someone but you don't really know them. This type of hug is quick and hesitant, barely touching the huggie. Forced. Awkward.

The "I surrender" hug is the kind of hug we give each other when we're about to give up or we just can't handle it. These hugs involve leaning on someone for support. They are much-needed hugs. But surrendering hugs are also "I Trust You" hugs. The best.

The "unfulfilled" hug is probably the saddest of all hugs. It is the hug we never got to give. This week in my life is a sad week. It is a time of unfulfilled hugs - the anniversary of two loved people in our community who took their own lives. These two kids both needed hugs when no one was there to offer one.

Never be shy about giving someone a hug. They cost nothing, except perhaps a small portion of your heart. They just might turn out to be the most valuable gift someone will get all day.

I will leave you with a question today. What kind of hug will you receive upon your arrival in heaven? I think it will be TWO kinds of hugs at once. We will be running to Jesus to give Him a hug for all the things He has done for us. And Jesus will receive that hug with knowing compassion, welcoming home another of His lost sheep.

Be Jesus in someone's life today. Give someone a hug. It might just be the best thing that has happened to them in quite a while.

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." - Luke 15:20

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