All grown up and knee-deep into her first full-time job, she now lives three states away. I hadn't seen her for three months.
The first thing I did was hug her tightly, trying in vain to express all the happiness that was bubbling out of me. Although we talk often by phone, electronic communication just doesn't compare to sharing a great big bear hug every now and then. It was an exuberant, unrestrained expression of love.
While I've never read a Bible verse saying God is a hugger, I strongly suspect He is. Many times during periods of sorrow and joy I have experienced the indescribable feeling of God wrapping His big strong arms around me in a tender embrace. Others have described this same experience.
Listen to one young lady's description of the night she came to faith in Christ at a Christian camp:
"As we were praying, an indescribable feeling flooded the room. I will never forget that feeling or that moment of Christ being right there next to me, wrapping me up so tenderly in His arms. It felt like the first hug I had ever known…The rest of the session I was so eager and ready to learn, and so desperately afraid to return home…afraid I’d lose God and all these people who knew Him and hugged like He hugs."
This phrase challenges and convicts me. In the busyness of my life, how often do I stop and hug people like Christ does? It's easy to hug people I love, like my sweet daughter, but I’m not as quick to hug others, especially those who might need a hug the most.
Lord, help me to hug like you hug.
How about you? Have you ever been hugged by God? Tell us about it in the comment box below. I'd love to hear your story!
"We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
Read more about Lori and her new book on the Lead Writers Page.
Hi Lori,
ReplyDeleteI love this post! I am a "hugger" and I was taught by the best,my dad! He never met a stranger and was always willing to spill out Jesus' love through hugs and loving words.I have always attributed my ability to hug others because my dad was my earthly example of what my heavenly Father's love (hugs) is like. This time of year is when I especially miss my dad. He played Santa Claus every year that I can remember growing up. He would hold those children with such compassion and I was so proud of him. I wish I could hug him right now. Thank you for this post! I know God hugs me every day in many ways!