I was privileged last Sunday to serve as a greeter at our church’s Caldwell location. I smiled a lot. I shook the hands of numerous people. But the best part was that I hugged (and got hugged back) by a few people who knew me – or were at least willing to take a chance on hugging me!
The next morning the following devotion came up in my memories. It happened in 2019, but I wanted to share it again. It was an event that really touched my heart. Some of you may remember me talking about it.
Bob and I were in a Cracker Barrel restaurant the other evening. We were seated over in one corner. It was a weeknight and not very many people were present. We were quietly talking and laughing when a middle-aged woman exiting from the middle of the restaurant made a detour to our table.
She smiled as she looked at me and said, “I just wanted to stop and tell you how lovely you are and how much you look like my mother,” then she added, “She lives in New York, and I miss her so much!”
I returned the lady’s smile and stood up. “I am a mother and I have a daughter,” I said, “do you mind if I give you a mom’s hug?”
There we stood in Cracker Barrel, two women, someone else’s mom and someone else’s daughter, sharing a hug. When she turned to leave there were tears in her eyes. (Bob just shook his head and smiled. I think my husband is finally getting used to me hugging strangers in public places!)
As a mom, I have often missed the hugs of my children when they lived far away or when I haven’t seen them for a time. I can understand how a child might miss the hugs of a parent. I also realize that as I have grown older, I might be seen even by strangers as more approachable. Or maybe, hopefully, they see the love, kindness, and compassion of God in me.
Colossians 3:12: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
