~ The Gift of a Hug ~

Today we can " reach out and touch someone" with the touch of a button. I love reading blogs to keep up with family and friends, checking facebook to see new pictures, getting emails and phone calls, and while I love the fact I can keep in touch with those I love, I miss the warmth of a hug that I can't feel through the phone line. Last weekend we had some wonderful friends come for an unexpected visit. I loved seeing the smiles, feeling the touch of a hug, hearing the stories, and enjoying awesome ribs from the Roadhouse and fabulous steaks grilled to perfection by my husband, along with lots of laughter ( and an occasional soft whine from Maggie who was hoping someone would share with her).

It made me stop and ponder ....

I love that God loves us enough to give us His word to read and follow, but He doesn't stop with that. He actually reaches down and gives a personal touch to His children, whether through a sunrise or sunset, a friend He prompts to reach out, a miracle that only He can arrange, or one of the many other ways that he reaches our hearts.

Please don't get me wrong, I love receiving phone calls, emails, letters, and the rest, but I hope that we don't forget just how important the human touch is. I am amazed at just what that touch can bring. The right touch filled with love can turn an insecure teen into a teen who knows he matters, it can take an abandoned child who feels worthless and help her know she is valued by the King of Kings who made her himself, it can take a widowed woman without a family and bring her into an adoptive family that God chose, and it can take days that seem lonely and remind us that we are not alone. I am convinced that God has given us the calling of being his hands to a world that is lonely and to bring hope to those who need His gentle touch of love.

One of my favorite quotes is from Linda Smith who founded the ministry Shared Hope Int., which brings little girls around the world out of brothels and into loving families with a future full of hope. "Touch them for me." God gave her the call to touch these girls for Him and the change that it brings is amazing. One of the encouraging things to me is that He doesn't stop there, He loves all his children and wants each of us to know how much we matter and how great His love is for us. He allows us to be a part of this mission to the world and each other.

I plan to continue to keep a blog, email friends, call family, and enjoy reading your blogs, emails, and hearing from you, but I am going to remember that a hug is a very amazing gift to be shared and treasured. So when I see my family and friends next, remember I will be looking for those hugs, and until then I will hug those that God puts in my path to share His love with.