I saw this little girl's video on my newsfeed. She is standing at the end of her pew reaching out to everyone walking by to give each one a hug. She was a producer of automatic smiles from each person as they reach out to oblige her. Her hugs boosted their spirits. And, now, they're boosting mine!
That’s the way I roll, too! Well, I don’t stand at the end of my pew to give hugs, though that just might be a good idea, but I do give free hugs. I get introduced to someone and as they reach out to shake hands, I reach out my arms and declare: “I’m a hugger!” I can’t think of any time I’ve been refused that return hug.
I know that hugs boost feel-good hormones – especially for me. Maybe, I’m not quite as open to a stranger to offer a hug like I see many do on social media as they hold up a sign that says “FREE HUGS”, but I have a built-in sensor that tells me “That person needs a hug,” and I’ll reach out to them to hug them. That’s why I embrace my Greeter position at my church. By now, if they’ve been through my door very often, they’ll reach out to give me a hug. I love that. Give and it shall be given.
Have you ever spontaneously hugged someone that was in a moment when their despair and distress was so intense that it seemed cruel on a human level not to reach out our arms to them? We hoped that they might derive some relief or comfort from an embrace. When I was the hugger, it was those times that the huggee hugged me back for dear life.
I know these days we have to have a stronger “discerner” about hugging because “do not touch” has been overly spelled out. There is such a difference in a warm embrace that says “I love you with the love of God” and “Hey, Babe! Let’s get it on!” I’m sincerely in to the “God kind-of-love-hugs”. But I also know that non-sexual “touch”, such as hand-holding, a gentle hug, a pat on the back brings God’s love into the equation.
We huggers should be focused on the huggee with purposeful intention to offer comfort, compassion and God’s love. It is literally a heart-to-heart experience. I love the saying: “When hugging, be the last to let go!” It’s not easy, but it says “I’m not letting you go in my hug and in my thoughts for good for you!” My daughter often gives me that kind-of-hug.
It’s worth being a risk taker to give out a hug to someone today. It just may brighten their world and help them feel loved and worthwhile – and if not for them – it’s worth it for us to give “FREE HUGS” because we need that hug ourselves. Just think of it....the heart of compassion, the warmth of a touch, the closeness of a hug. This hurting world is hungry for the touch of someone who cares -- who really cares! Through God's LOVE, you and I can be that someone. We are chips off the ole' block -- and our BLOCK gave to us BIG TIME. Let's reach out and touch someone or hug someone and GIVE what He's giving us today.
