THE VALUE OF A HUG

"And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the
greatest of these is love." I Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)

      How can we measure the value of a hug?  Who needs them"  What earthly good are they?  I think I found a clue.

      Waneta and John are two dear friends I met while on a ministry trip to Sydney, Australia.  I loved them from our first encounter.  I had no way of knowing our paths would cross again this side of heaven.

      About a year later I received the news that they were here in America with their two little girls, Esther and Jessica.  We met at the church I attended in Temecula, California.  It was so good to see them again and meet the girls who latched onto me as a sort of grandmother, which delighted me no end!

      While pondering this interesting turn of events, I concluded that God has a way of putting people together for their mutual benefit.  Of course, I do not always think His plans for me are altogether beneficial.  However, this is one instance where I must concede that God made a smart move.

      Several Sundays ago after church, Esther and Jessica and I were hugging each other when Esther said, "I need enough hugs to last me until next Sunday."  So I gave my little "grandchildren" a hug for each day of the ensuing week.  We parted, smiling happily at one another.

      Not until yesterday did I understand the significance of all that hugging.  During the week I visited Waneta.  Esther was at school, but Jessica hadn't left for kindergarten as yet, so she and I greeted each other with some joyful hugging.

      Later in the week, while talking on the phone, Waneta said, "Esther was so disappointed when she found that you had been here, and Jessica had gotten some hugs and she didn't get any.  Esther wanted to know if I could give her some of that love from you she missed out on."  Jessica piped up saying, "I only got three hugs from Lenore."

      Waneta said, "I didn't know about all that hugging, one for each day of the week, that took place on Sundays.  So I gave Jessica her week's worth of hugs, and Esther wanted her other four hugs so she wouldn't be cheated."  Then Waneta added, "They seemed contented because they had enough hugs to last until next Sunday."

      At the back of my mind, for the remainder of the day.  I kept mulling over what Waneta told me about her girls.  By the time I went to bed, I was disheartened because I could recall only one hug I received during my entire childhood.  I kept trying to remember, but, for the life of me, I could not think of another incident where somebody hugged me.  The only time was when my daddy came to see me at the orphanage when I had chicken pox.  He hugged me and, oh, I felt loved!

      At this painful revelation, the tears ran down my face and onto my pillow.  I cried a long time for that lonely little girl who missed out on all those needed hugs.

      Then I prayed, "Dear Jesus, please take away the hurt and let me feel Your love for me."  I knew I should forgive my parents for abandoning me and for not giving me the love and nurture I needed.  So, I again prayed, "Father God, forgive me for holding resentment and anger at my father and mother for not loving me and not taking care of me.  I forgive them for abandoning me."

      Now I see why God brought those precious little girls into my life.   Esther and Jessica are not only receiving love from me; they are also giving that little girl inside of me all that loving and hugging she missed out on.

      If you were raised without every receiving any hugs, how do you know you missed out on this loving gesture?  When you have children, they, in turn miss out on needed hugs.  I regret to say this happened in my family, and probably many other families as well.

      I now understand how vital hugs are for our healthy growth and development, a necessary ingredient in nurturing our body, soul, and spirit.   The conclusion of the matter is this:  Hugs are an important link in bringing the love of God into our lives.

      So, I say, "Thank You, God, for bringing this delightful family across my path.  I cherish the love and friendship they accorded me.  I relish every single hug I shared with Esther and Jessica!