"Mom, the Only Thing I Need Right Now Is a Hug"
As my boys grow up, their open affection has diminished. I guess the rules have changed, and things aren’t so simple. As little tots, my boys were ceaselessly presumptive and preemptive with their affection. Without hesitation they would see an empty lap and hop into it. That was their spot. They had no qualms about giving long kisses on the cheek, even if they had a slimy booger nose.
Some days I don’t realize how much I miss them clinging to my leg. But the fact is I still need it. And they still need it. We were created to love and be loved.
That’s why my heart was instantly tenderized the other day. I was walking hurriedly through the TV room hollering that I was going to the store if anyone needed anything. Benjamin paused the DVR and said with a quiet yawn, “Mom, the only thing I need right now is a hug.” That stopped me in my tracks. The dozen or so words changed my plans, my pace, my focus. I went to him, and we mutually energized each other with a long hug. After a minute or so, still hugging me, he began to rise up saying, “I can do anything now! I am completely recharged!” He was kidding around but I wasn’t. I could do anything now. I was completely recharged.
The next thing out of mouth was, “Do you want something special from the store?” A few moments before that I was allowing him to make bare-bones requests. But now things were different between us; we had moved into a new realm. Our hearts were connected. Ben thought for a moment and blurted, “I would like a nice pen.” I thought to myself, Hmm, you could have asked for half the kingdom, but okay. Your request shall be granted.
As I shopped for a special pen for Ben, the God-thought went through my head, Would you be showing this favor to Ben if it hadn’t been for his loving on you? No, no I wouldn’t. I would strictly be gathering his routine “daily bread” needs. In fact, I felt a little strange doing something special for Ben and not for my other two boys. The God-thought continued, The effect that Ben’s reaching out had on you, is the same effect your reaching out has on Me. When you tell Me, “Your closeness is all I need,” it changes everything. The James 4:8 Scripture came to me, confirming these thoughts: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
Each day, putting our lives’ DVR on pause long enough to simply commune with him Spirit to spirit will change everything. Let’s not let a day—or even a moment—slip by without being aware of the position of our hearts towards our Father. Inviting His Presence invites His favor. If it makes us awkward to love on God, then simply start by saying to Him the Psalmist’s words, “Being united with God is my highest good.” (Ps. 73:28 GW) This one action on our part will change our lives like nothing else.
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