My friend, may I ask you a question? Is it the weak who are cruel because they can’t give hugs? Is it true that gentleness can only be expected from the strong.” Do we learn that lesson when we put the strong arms of our love around the those who are hurting, afraid and lonely?
My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day. I’m M. Clifford Brunner?
“Handshake or a hug?” I walked up to my son Dan as he dragged himself home from the shop. He was covered with grease and looked pretty tired. I tentatively reached out a hand, expecting him to choose the lesser contact to the high impact contact of a full, Dad-sized hug. Dan looked at me and didn’t offer a hand. He simply spread out his arms wide and beckoned me in. Dan is 6’ 3” and has 3” on his old Dad and in a moment I found myself buried in his embrace. “Thanks for the hug, Dad!” I looked up into his sweaty face and said, “No problem, buddy; my pleasure.”
Dan and I aren’t afraid of embracing; it’s a good thing. In fact, what is good in me, the body of Christ, knows no other better way of expressing that goodness than through a good, old-fashioned hug.
Joseph Mazella writes: “In my life I’ve experienced a lot of different types of hugs. I’ve gotten the bear hug that squeezes the air right out of you. I have gotten the neck hug where the little child jumps in your arms and wraps lovingly around your neck. The most memorable hug I ever got, however, came when I was visiting a monastery with a group of other boys and as we entered a small kitchen one of the Brothers walked in. This guy looked like a pro football lineman dressed in a brown, wool robe. As we talked, though, his kind spirit and delightful sense of humor put us all at ease. That is until he rose to leave. Then he walked right at me to give me a hug. At first I feared he might crack a rib, but when he took me in his huge arms all I felt was the love from his soul. It was the gentlest hug I ever got. (Joseph Mazella)
Leo Rosten said: “It is the weak who are cruel. Gentleness can only be expected from the strong.” We learn that lesson when we put the strong arms of our love around the those who are hurting, afraid and lonely. If we do this with a gentle spirit, our love will never be intimidating or misunderstood. Goodness is always coupled with a strong and loving spirit. When we love in this manner, we demonstrate that God is love and that our real strength comes from loving each other as He loves us. Jesus shows us that our true power comes when we aren’t afraid to embrace and express our joy. He shows us that gentleness and hugs will forever go together. When I think of Dan and HIS hugs, that’s a good feeling.
We pray. Heavenly Father. is it the weak who are cruel. Are we cruel when we fail to give others a touch out of love? Is our gentleness disappearing as a people? Help us to put the strong arms of our love around the those who are hurting, afraid and lonely today. Bind us to them with Your gentle spirit. Help us to love in this manner, that we demonstrate that You are love and that our real strength comes from loving each other as You love us. True power comes when we aren’t afraid to embrace and express our joy with others. We praise You that gentleness and hugs will forever go together. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
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<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.