hugs are awesome. no really! take a moment and think about the last one you had, and fully take in the awesomeosity (new word!) of it!
why is it that hugs are as awesome as they are? it's got to be all in the embrace! the act of encircline your loved one with your arms, and them reciprocating, really brings two people together doesn't it? why is it then that we've become so stingy with our hugs as Christians? i mean, there have been entire blogs that have exploded onto the scene over the Christian-awkwardness when it comes to hugging.
i'm not just criticizing myself and others that struggle doling out the hugs and are quite reserved, but also those who struggle with hugs being awkward and/or "wrong". allow yourself to be loved, embraced or held once in awhile. i heard a doctor one time say that she prescribes "four hugs a day for survival, eight for maintainance and twelve for growth." hugs can relieve pain and depression, make the healthy healthier, the happy happier and the most secure among us even more so. hugging feels good, overcomes fear, eases tension, provides a stretching exercise if you’re short and a stooping exercise if you’re tall. hugging does not upset the environment, saves heat and requires no special equipment. it makes happy days happier and impossible days possible. why wouldn't you want a hug or want to give one?
if you're still not convinced hugging is appropriate, you may be right...in certain circumstances. Jesus always seemed to know what kind of touch to give people. a warm embrace, a hand around the back of the head in a friendly eye to eye stance or even when no touch was necessary. use your discretion of course, but with all the health benefits of a hug (hugs have been shown to reduce heart rates, improve overall moods, lower blood pressure, increase nerve activity, and a host of other beneficial effects), it's too good a thing to worry about being turned down when asking to give one!
so today, i want to challenge you in overcoming your fear of hugs. whether giving or recieving them, it could be a blessing waiting to happen.