Happiness is a Hug

I had just finished my Jr. High book club class for our homeschool co-op. As I was walking down the hall reflecting on our discussion and the great students I had this term, I followed a group of preschoolers headed to their bathroom break. I trailed behind. One little boy spotted me, turned and made a bee line straight toward me. I stopped in my tracks as he wrapped his arms around my leg and gave me a gentle hug. Immediately 5-6 other little preschoolers turned and did the same. I had leg warmers on both legs. Not one of them said a word, giggled or anything. After a few high fives and return hugs, they rejoined their class in line. As I left and drove home, I continued to think on their unexpected, undirected and simple loving act. A smile drifted across my face.

I felt happy as I was given a beautiful gift by half-a-dozen three to four-year-olds who I didn’t know. I wasn’t their teacher or parent, but am recognizable as leading the chapel devotions. I don’t know what compelled the first boy to give me an unexpected hug, but it certainly influenced the others around him…and it affected me. I thought of the power of a simple loving act like a hug, and the influence of the initiative of one. A few “hug” quotes I found illustrate the power of this simple gift:

A hug delights and warms and charms,
That must be why God gave us arms. – Author Unknown

You can't wrap love in a box,
but you can wrap a person in a hug. ~Author Unknown

A hug is a great gift - one size fits all, and it's easy to exchange. ~Author Unknown

The influence of one. One little boy made a decisive, deliberate act to hug and it was multiplied by six. I wonder if there are lessons for us in this story? As a busy adult with many things running through my mind, responsibilities, work, bills, etc., and with a number of time consuming distractions: reading, internet, TV, fantasy football, do I ever pause and spontaneously act to encourage another. Sometimes…but how many times have I missed such opportunities to give a gift of love to someone who needed it. Maybe a spouse who is having a difficult day, a child not feeling well, a lonely grandparent, or a friend carrying a heavy burden needs your hug today. As a bonus, your act of love may influence others and be multiplied. John reveals to us, the family of God, the foundational principle of this gift:

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. – 1 John 4:11

You may not have the answer to someone’s need or change circumstances, but an unexpected hug may be just the precious gift they need today...to feel loved.