The Hug

Nothing starts the day better than a hug. I remember when my boys were small and would come running, arms wide open, big smile, wanting me to pick them up and give them a hug. I remember the same event with my grandchildren. And now we are expecting another grandson late this month and when he learns to walk, I expect the same joy. Toddlers just seem to know how to hug.

You know, there is something kind of sad when they don't want to be hugged anymore. All children reach that age and all parents and grandparents feel a sense of loss when their child/grandchild go to the "A-frame" hug. You know the kind. The hug where you bend at the waist and the only hugging that goes on is from the shoulders up. It's not quite what we humans need but it is what we "settle for" because society says that older children and adults should not embrace each other.

That doesn't mean that mornings have to be lonely and unfulfilled. Every morning, after my husband takes my Boston terrier puppy out to "do his business," I hear the tap, tap, tap of paws across the linoleum in the kitchen and then the jubilant face and wagging tail of my puppy comes running into my office joyfully greeting me every morning. There is no comparison to the joy he and I feel as we greet each other (Sorry Cesar, I know I am nuturing excitement and I don't care!). In fact, I think the expectation is almost better than the actual event. Just knowing that I am unconditionally loved and WANTED is a very comforting feeling.

I know that some of you are not "the hugging type." Some of you have had a falling out with parents, friends, relatives, significant others or whoever gave you the best hugs. I have been there and I know how it feels. It leaves a hole that actually makes you ill whenever you see others hugging and smiling.

There are hugs that are always available. In Luke 15 Jesus tells us the story of a son that thought he was too old for hugs. In fact, he was so full of his own "maturity" that he told his dad to give him what he was owed as his inheritance and then, told his father and brother to get lost! He moved out and blew all his money, like so many young people today. Then he found himself broke, hungry, and with too much pride to go home and admit he blew it. But after a few weeks of pig slop (Ewwwww) his mental wheels start turning and he realizes that Dad's slaves eat better than this. That's it, I'll go home and offer to be a slave!

So he starts walking. "But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. *HE RAN, THREW HIS ARMS AROUND HIS NECK AND KISSED HIM." (Luke 15:20)*emphasis mine*

I had read this story thousands of times and never noticed one little detail until it was pointed out to me. The only way the father would see his son "a long way off," would be if he was looking out for him from the roof the whole time he was gone. He wasn't just waiting on him, HE WAS LOOKING FOR HIM down that long road to the house day in and day out praying for the return of his son, and anticipating what the reunion would be like!

Then he sees him...his son. I can see the tears start to well up in the old man's eyes as he sees the son he loves from "a long way off." He can't get down to the road quick enough. He has his robe tucked in his belt so he can run faster and get to his son he has waited for so long. He grabs his son around the neck in a big old bear hug and kisses him over and over again to share the joy he feels at his return.

Wow! I cry every time I tell that story. I realize that no matter how much I screw up, God is going to come running and give me a big old bear hug to welcome me back once I know I am wrong. It just doesn't get any better than that!

Feel like you need a hug from somebody, anybody? Get out your Bible or borrow one from the library or a friend and read Luke 15: 11-23. I promise you once you finish reading this parable, you will feel your Heavenly Father's arms wrapped around you like a warm blanket saying, "I love you so much. I'm glad you're back."