[[Touch]]

i LOVE hugs.

I love hugging people that I haven't seen in a while, or people I won't see for a while. I love to give someone a random hug just because I love them. I love hugs when I wake up and hugs before I go to sleep. I'm not sure why. But I think, to a degree, many people crave touch. I say many because I have met people that don't like to be touched. They are not huggers. And they have their different reasons. But I am a hugger, for sure. I think it would be fun to just give people hugs on the street one day. Just like the hugs video. It makes me smile every time I watch it. You should watch it too. :-)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

Anyway, I think touch can mean so many things. When a small child falls and gets hurt, most times it wants to be held until the stinging stops. When a person just gets bad news, a close friend or spouse will squeeze their hand just to let them know they are there and are going to walk through it with them. A hug can mean a joy to see someone, a comfort in a hurting time, a deep care for someone's life, or just a sign of love.

I've been working night shifts. So, in an attempt to keep a regular sleep schedule, I have been staying up the nights I don't work also. In the wee hours of the morning, I was realizing how much Jesus loves people, deeply loves them, and I was again reminded of my heart and my love for broken people (and people in general, for that matter). And I started wondering why it is that I like to hug so much. And I started thinking about the various times I was sitting with people who were sharing hurtful experiences or going through hard times. If I'm close enough to them, I normally end up just wrapping my arms around them. And if I'm not that close with the person, everything inside of me just wants to wrap my arms around them. There are just things in life that we don't have answers for. And at that point, I feel like a hug is the most I can do to tell a person that I love them and care about them, even if I don't have words.

I love hugging my family. I love hugging my friends. And I love long hugs-hugs that are more than just a passing by, but a hug that says, "I genuinely value your life." I love having a shoulder to lean on and being a shoulder to lean on. I love a kiss on the cheek or top of the head as a quick sign of affection. I love standing beside family or friends and throwing my arm around them and watching waves on a beach or a sunset-something so simple, yet so meaningful.

I'm not sure why I'm sharing this with you. Maybe just because I think it's important. Very important. Don't forget to take time to show the people in your life that you love them. If you're not a touch person, find another way. But it's important to love.

Jesus loved. I want to love. :-)

 

                                                   Dad and I on Easter Sunday, 2010

Sporadic Thoughts

I've really enjoyed reading lately, reading the Bible and reading good books. I've been digging into some books that I've wanted to read for a while. I love writing down quotes, pondering things the author has to say, being challenged in my walk with the Lord and being challenged in deeper meanings of life and love and God.

Most recently, I've read "Crazy Love" (Francis Chan), The Shack (W.M. Paul Young), and most recently I'm borrowing "Blue Like Jazz" (Donald Miller) from a good friend of mine. I've thoroughly enjoyed it so far, but haven't quite made it to the half-way point yet. I feel like I'm reading someone's journal. I read Donald Miller's blog from time to time also. I admire that he blogs every day, and while everything he writes doesn't always interest me, I catch a topic every now and then that I read and gain a little nugget from.

One of my favorite things to do is to sit down with a good cup of coffee and my Dad and discuss things we've been reading and things we feel the Lord has been showing us. It's wonderful. I know everyone doesn't consider themselves to be a reader, but find something that is challenging you..whether it be reading, listening to sermons (Judah Smith is one of my favorites), or simply engaging in a thought provoking conversation with someone that will challenge you to move on to greater depths with the Lord and to love people more.

SPRING :-)

Why, hello there! I really just wanted to write for the sake of writing. I have to say that I am totally enjoying the warm weather. It's 72° and sunny today. It's supposed to be even warmer this weekend. The tree outside my bedroom window has yet to shed some of it's fall leaves, but there are flowers sprouting out front, trying to find their way out into the sunlight. There is a bird chirping outside my window. Today, I drove around town with the windows down, the music cranked, and totally enjoying life. Right now, worship music is playing. Jesus is incredible!

It's amazing how Spring and growth can have such a deep effect on the human soul that's been under the clouds, wind, and bitter cold of winter. It's life after death. And it's hope after discouragement. At least that's how I see it. I see it as a whole new time to jump into life head-on and jump into Jesus with all that I am. I want to live on purpose.


By the way, if you haven't read it, read "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. It is, by far, one of the best books I've ever read. It's challenging, hope-inspiring, and so much about God's deep love for us and how we should deeply love others. Read it. Buy it or borrow it, but read it.  :-)


Anyway, I hope you are all well. Get a hold of me and let me know if there's anything I can pray for you about. And, I'd love to hear what's going on in your life! :-)


Much love~me :-)