It was a simple lunch date with a friend in her home.  I wasn’t really anticipating a life lesson.

As I drove up, I spotted my friend and her 16-month old daughter at the glass entryway door – smiling and waving.

Once inside, we chatted for a bit and then prepared to eat.  My friend began to to ladle soup while balancing her toddler on her hip.  All of a sudden, the little girl reached for me (those of you who know me well know how peculiar and awkward this moment must have been)!  

In an effort to help my friend focus on lunch preparations “hands-free”, I took the child and held her in my arms.  What happened next melted my heart, made my day, and taught me a valuable lesson afresh.

As I held this little person, her tiny face was just inches from mine.  She smiled, wrapped her arms around my neck, buried her head in my shoulder, and gave me the biggest hug her small arms had the strength to muster!

She pulled back, smiled at me again, and launched into a second hug.  I lost count of how many times we rotated through this “hug cycle” as I was too busy throwing my whole self into this moment of genuine affection.

I left that lunch feeling like a new person – all because of a hug.  This tiny human being hadn’t said one word to me, she didn’t try and “fix” any life situations I was walking through at the time, she just connected with me on the simplest of levels – personal contact.

How often do we cross paths with people in our day who simply need a hug?  In the complex rhythm of our hectic and disjointed culture, isn’t this what most people are craving?  Personal connection, someone who reaches into your world and conveys, “I see you. You’re important.”

A hug does just that!  It is one of the most basic examples of displaying human emotion – people hug when they’re happy or sad; to encourage or comfort.  The results are the same – human connection that we all crave and were designed to give.

Wonder what to say to that friend who seems down?  Try a hug.  Seems too easy, I know, but sometimes that’s all it takes. 

And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go find someone who needs to experience the power of a hug!

Until next time, Grace and Glory!