The Day God Hugged Me

After enduring a series of emotionally draining weeks, feeling unloved and in need of reassurance, I cried out to the Lord, "I know that You say You love me, but I don't KNOW that You love me. God, help me understand that You really do love me." I was desperate to understand this simple concept that kept confounding me.

I knew that God loved me from an intellectual standpoint. I knew He would think well of me when I did right and would somehow tolerate me when I did wrong. But somehow I couldn't understand the unconditional love the Bible says defines my Lord and Savior, the kind with no strings attached, the kind that doesn't depend on good behavior or a perfect report card.

For about a week, I prayed that prayer going to and from work. Then one particular day, I came home feeling very harried. I struggled to get the groceries in from the car and remain pleasant to my neighbor Tiffany and her 4-year-old son Jaelon, who were preparing to leave.

And then it happened.

After several trips to the house, I was finally down to my last few bags of groceries. I was heading for the door when I heard little Jaelon ask in his gentle voice, "Can I give you a hug?"

I was flabbergasted that a child who didn't even know my name, who had never spent time at my house, who I had passed day after day without saying "hello" wanted to hug ME. Who am I that I deserve a hug?

Despite my initial hesitancy, deep down I was thrilled. I actually couldn't wait to get hugged! So, I put my groceries down, walked over to that sweet little boy, knelt down, and received God's wonderful blessing.

It was so simple, and yet such a pure act of love. A hug from a little child — no pretense, no hidden motives. Just a kid who saw a worried adult struggling and figured a hug would make it all better.

And he was right. I could barely fight back the tears of joy as I contemplated that brief gesture of acceptance. I quickly realized God had just answered my prayer in the most tangible and personal way.

If you need His touch, as I did, ask the Lord to show Himself to you. And then, wait expectantly for His outstretched arms to bring you comfort, safety, and provision.

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort." (2 Corinthians 1:3, NLT)

Copyright © Laura J. Bagby, used with permission.