Meditate. Consider how you love and are loved.
The end
of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your
prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for
love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need
a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great
variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter
4:7-10
Love – Love – Love. The greatest of all gifts is love. Love from the Father…and our love for one another. Love is the key to life. Consider again a study from the thirteenth century that began to see what language babies would speak if not spoken to, as well not touched. Those babies died. Yes, they died from lack of love. We must be touched, cuddled, hugged and loved with words and actions. It is quite obviously a basic necessity. God lavishes His love on us…spiritually, by giving us His Son as a sacrificial offering…and physically, by giving us people around us who give us attention—parents, siblings, other relatives, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and even acquaintances, like teachers, doctors, pastors, and grocery store clerks. Even if we are not regularly now in a “hug zone” we still thrive with attention. Physical touch is essential to life. I remember researching and writing about that. See part of the January 3, 2013 “Banquet With The King” blog post, below.
Recent reports
on studies have shown that everyone needs at least 10 hugs a day to thrive. Virginia Satir, a respected family therapist, said “We
need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We
need twelve hugs a day for growth.” Twelve—that’s a lot of hugs. Physical touch
is important. Hugging strengthens the immune system, builds self-esteem, and
creates trust in a relationship. Jesus said, “let the little ones come unto me”
and I image that He hugged them and their parents, too. We need to do likewise.
So, open your arms and your heart—give a hug. Share the love of Jesus with family and friends today. Keep
everyone healthy. January 21 is
National Hugging Day—a world-wide event. Put it on your calendar…but don’t save
all your hugs until then.
Have you hugged anyone today? If you are in COVID isolation, you may just have to give yourself a hug. If not, ask the Lord to send someone to you to hug. I always look forward to hugs from my grandkids!
You are love, Lord God. Help me to show and share Your love…and You…with others around me.
Verse of
Salvation ~ So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit,
hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave
pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation.
Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's
kindness. 1 Peter 2:1-3 (Underlined for emphasis.)
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