The Hug

Written by Mike Lawing

I arose a little bit early on the Sunday morning prior to Christmas. The house was dark, still, and quiet as no one in my family had begun to stir yet. I walked to the front door as I usually do in the mornings just to try and see what was going on outside. After that I stood in the darkness, wrapped in my warm robe that I totally love, and just listened to the quietness. You can hear quiet you know! I felt so comfortable and, at that moment, was consumed with total peace. It was awesome!…but it didn’t last long. Soon the “normal” for our mornings took over…sounds of the coffee maker, the television in the bedroom, the showers running, the dog wanting out of his nighttime kennel, cars going by on the road out front, and my boys chattering. The peaceful quiet was over, and we were into a busy day full of activities.

As days passed and I went through the continued busyness of Christmas week, the beginning of a new year, starting back to work, striving to get into the usual routine again, and shivering through the coldest weather we’ve had in decades, I thought about my moment of peace and warmth many times. I even discussed it with my wife. I longed for that moment and actually started referring to it as my “God hug.”

Is that silly? Is it odd that, during the wonderful Christmas season, I felt closest to God not in my church service, nor worshipping Him through singing my favorite Christmas hymns, nor spending special times with family and friends…but standing alone, in my dark house, in a cotton bath robe? I don’t think so! Because it was in that moment that He most specifically revealed Himself to ME. I counted my blessings right there!

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3; 22-23)

I remember the hugs I would get from my college roommate’s family when we traveled to his home for a weekend visit, from Appalachian State (forgive me but I had to get that plug for ASU in somewhere!!!). From the very first time I visited them until the last time I saw them, they greeted me with hugs. They were the huggin’est (not sure that’s a word but you know what I mean) bunch of folks I’d ever known. I always felt so very welcome in their midst.

A hug is defined as “to clasp tightly in the arms with affection…cling firmly or fondly to; to cherish.” Now, God doesn’t physically wrap His arms around us. He does think of us with affection and fondness, and He does cherish us! That morning, wrapped in my cotton robe, I felt God’s love for me and counted His blessings on me and my family. So, wasn’t it possible that I did feel God hugging me at that moment?

Think back on the days of your life. If you’re a child of God, you’ll certainly think of a time, or times, when God hugged you. If you don’t know Him, He wants so badly for you to let Him hug you too. And someday, just as my roommate’s family greeted me and welcomed me into their presence, He will, through death or by Christ’s return, physically welcome those of us that call Him Savior into His kingdom. And then, we’ll have fun just hanging out in Heaven and hugging each other for all of eternity!