My boys are at the perfect ages. Nine and seven are glorious years because they are independent, but don’t mind hanging out with their parents. They are smart, but not too smart-alecky (is that a word?). They can play for hours and work out their own problems for the most part. We can have deep conversations one minute and be totally silly the next. I especially love that they are super affectionate and aren’t turned off by hugging and kissing their parents. They like to hug me because I’m “comfy” (it’s really hard to get motivated to work out with this knowledge). Then one Thursday I came home from work to find the boys rushing to my husband after each homeschool lesson to give him a hug. He had proclaimed it “Cuddle Thursday” and the boys love it. They look forward to it every week. (I was a little jealous since I work on Thursdays, so now I have my own cuddle day on Fridays).
And because my boys are best friends, they can’t help but hug one another. One day, I found them on the couch like this…
“We’re cuddling, mommy!” They had decided to call themselves “The Cuddle Brothers”. Too. Much. Cuteness.
I know there will come a day when they don’t want to hug or kiss me or my husband. And there will be a day when they will roll their eyes at the thought of being ‘cuddle brothers’. They will probably hate me for posting this adorable picture of them. But right now, they love it. And I love it.
Embracing makes us feel like we are connected to another human. If you haven’t read the home page of this blog yet and the definition of intertwined – it just takes a few seconds.
So, did you see it? People unite by embracing.
And this is true as well: We unite with God when we embrace Him. Embrace His protection. Embrace His discipline. Embrace His forgiveness. Embrace His goodness.
Even if you do not feel worthy today, God can’t wait to give you a great big bear hug. Watch this exchange between the prodigal son and his father:
“I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” Luke 15:19-20
Whatever you are feeling today, I’d be willing to bet an embrace wouldn’t hurt. We are never truly alone when we connect with God. All kinds of things cause us to crave hugs…fear, grief, loneliness, excitement. God already knows, but tell Him how you’re feeling. Then listen to His Word, be willing to be weak, and He will come running.
Get INTERTWINED with Him today. Enjoy this song while you’re at it.
INTERTWINED 