Holy Greeting

Wednesday morning is Bible study morning.
It is a privilege to teach the women the Word of God.
If truth were told, I probably learn more than they do.
Preparing for our class helps me grow in my faith.

Today was also the Harvest Party for the Preschool.
Little ones walking through the halls dressed in farmer attire.
There were scarecrows and the occasional ballerina, who dances in the fields no less.

As our Bible study class was finishing, one class was going by the door.
The women were saying goodbye and some were lingering to talk a bit.
I heard a tiny voice, Hi Mrs. Galgager!
My last name is apparently hard to say.

I knew it was my little buddy, one of four boys who love to come to Mrs. Galgager’s house.
I waved at him and smiled a big smile.
I didn’t want him to get out of line since they were heading upstairs in single file.

He was dressed as a scarecrow.
His mom even put two red dots on his cheek, adding to his already adorable face.

The building was full of moms and grandparents, even some dads who could be there.
Cameras were in hand or around necks ready to capture the moment.
As I was in the lobby, gathering my things, another class was coming through.
I didn’t realize it was my little buddy’s class.

I heard the same sweet voice.
I didn’t give you a hug today!
He got out of line and came up to me.
He in his plaid shirt with his scarf around his neck and red dots on his cheek.

I bent down to reach him and got the most delightful hug.
He got back into line and I saw that his mom was helping; she with her own scarecrow hat.

That was all, but that was everything.

Do you ever think about how many people may need a hug?
Imagine if we said, without a hint of embarrassment: I didn’t give you a hug today!
How different the world would be.

There was a new woman at Bible study today.
It was so lovely to meet her and listen to her beautiful accent.
When she left the class, she came over to me and thanked me.
I will be back next time…and she gave me a hug.

Two hugs in the span of fifteen minutes.
Two hugs that made my day.

We hug our family members…at least we should.
But what if, in our busyness, the hug gets lost, forgotten, or set aside until later.
It happens sometimes.

What a lift, what a boost to our spirit if we take the time to hug.
That safe, appropriate touch of affirmation.
It means so much.

At the end of his letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes:
Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be men of courage, be strong. Do everything in love. You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus arrived because they supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition…All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse be on him. Come, O Lord! The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen. (1 Corinthians 16:13,14,17,18,20-23)

Without even knowing it, my little buddy followed Paul’s directive.
Greet one another with a holy kiss…in his case a holy hug!
That kind of greeting must continue to go on until HE comes again.

The early church believed that the word maranatha would hasten the Lord’s coming.
Come, O Lord!
In the meantime…greet one another with a holy kiss.
In my little buddy’s case, in the meantime, he greets with a holy hug.

In the meantime.
There are things to do.
How can we refresh another hurting soul?
How can we show them the love of Christ?

Supply what is lacking in someone else, if you can.
Everyone battles every day; some are better at hiding it than others.

Greet.
Extend grace.
Love well.

A holy hug may be just the refreshment they need.
Thank you to a sweet little boy for the reminder.