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Hugs

by Steve Countryman  
6/06/2017 / Christian Living

I guess it’s no big deal to me. Hugging someone comes pretty natural to me, giving someone a hug is almost second nature. It doesn’t matter if it is a full grown man or woman. I mean nothing by it other than to show my brotherly love and care for them. It’s sad that in today’s society so much junk has been placed on simple expressions of caring and love.

I understand that there are those who feel uncomfortable about being on the receiving end of a “GOOD HUG”. I’m sure they have their reasons and I don’t want to scare them, offend them or bring up some terrible memories that a hug might start. I feel very sorry for them for they are held captive by their past experiences that cause them pain.

A “GOOD HUG” can bring healing and comfort to a weary soul. Some have never known what it feels like to get a hug from a loving father or caring brother. To feel the embrace of a fellow believer is a special experience. A “GOOD HUG” takes two to participate. It requires giving and receiving a hug at the same time. That is what makes a “GOOD HUG”. Hugging someone who doesn’t hug back just feels like it is missing something.

Most men have a problem with hugging another man for fear it will make them less of a man. Yes there is proper protocol in participating in a “MANLY” hug. Both men start out with a hand shake then one will pull the other man in for a one arm hug while still shaking hands. During the hug it is expected that both men will pat the other on the back in a friendly non-loving manner. It’s the pat that keeps it civil!

There is also proper protocols for hugging someone of the opposite sex. It should only be done if both parties know each other first. Hugging a stranger of the opposite sex not only can be awkward but can be hazardous if their spouse feels threatened by it in any way.

I can remember growing up in churches where the pastors would say “go greet someone with a hug and welcome them to our church”. It started out harmless in most cases but there always seemed to be the one “strange” church member who seemed to get extra friendly with their hugs. It sad that those people weren’t counseled correctly instead of ruining it for the rest of us.

I have met people who were so lonely that they would come into the grocery store that I managed just about everyday. I don’t doubt that it was the only contact that they had with other people outside their homes. They would come and make their rounds talking to my employees and yes they had their favorites.

One older man would come in but seldom ever talked to anyone. He had a nasty habit of cashing out his groceries through one certain cashier that would oblige him with an argument. He always complained about something to rattle her cage. It wouldn’t be long before I would be called over to fix the problem.

I never really notice this habit of his ‘til on time he started in with that cashier while stand in her line waiting for those in front of him to go through. I was called over to find that the problem was between the cahier and how she was handling her current customer. The old man couldn’t help himself and had to jump into the middle of their conversation which he turned into an argument.

That is when dawned on me what was going on. He was so desperate for conversation that getting into an argument was still a conversation to him. From that day on when I saw him come in I made a point to say hi and talk to him. I also told my staff to do the same when they saw him. It wasn’t long before he was coming in with a smile on his face instead of that snarl that we had grown accustom to.

My point for telling this story is that people need attention sometimes and a “GOOD HUG” now and then can help. The hugs have a way of conveying comfort, caring and a sense of belonging. Besides isn’t it another way to show and shine God’s love to others?

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