The driver swerved and screeched to a stop and the fellow inside greeted me with I’m sure many expletives and blew his horn.  This just added to my gloomy day!

Woke up and noticed king size pillow next to me.  Grabbed it and gave it a hug.  Always put it beside me – reminds me of my sweetheart.

Then as I made the bed hugged the black bear on the chair next to the bed.  It was made by a sweet friend from one of my husband’s favorite shirts. 

Feeling melancholy  – one of those days.  Have been anticipating the end of March which will be one year since my husband went to be with Jesus.  Seems like yesterday and yet seems like eons ago.  Miss him so much today.

Had several errands to run in town so after dropping my jacket at cleaners was waiting to turn left at intersection – traffic in both lanes.  Decided to take a shortcut around town. Memories of people who lived in that part of town drew me in.  Next turned-on road where my son had cleared a lot a year ago.  I drove my husband there to see him working.  I looked left to see the building on the lot, then looked right – no traffic so turned left –  into a large black pick up.  The driver swerved and screeched to a stop and the fellow inside greeted me with I’m sure many expletives and blew his horn.  Shocked to see him and thankful at same time that he did not hit me, I tried to gather my thoughts and pay more attention to my driving.  I bet he told everybody how an old lady pulled out in front of him. 

Calming down in the grocery store – I encountered a young man from our church.  He greeted me and gave me a hug.  At the checkout – the man bagging the groceries was a friend who greeted me warmly.  Leaving the store, I heard someone call my name and was greeted by one of my husband’s golf friends.  He hugged me and then out the door came the lady who sewed the black bear from husband’s shirt, and she welcomed me with a hug.

A few hours later, leaving a meeting at church – I was greeted by one of the staff who gave me a hug.

Wow, four big hugs in one day if you don’t count the pillow and the black bear – that would be six!

My friend asked me what I missed most about my husband.  Without hesitation, I said, “The hugs.”

The pillow and black bear do not compare to hugs from people.  Thank you, Lord, for the hugs today! And thank you for hugs from family and friends. 

Do you need a hug today, or maybe you need to give a hug?  Their embrace may be just what you need.  And your hug may be just what that person needs!

Hug your spouse, your children, your friends.  Maybe even a stranger if you feel led. Blessed with new great grand baby – easy to hug!

Hebrews 13:2 NIV         ² Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Go ahead hug an angel!

Hebrews 10:24-26 NIV    ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

This is not just about meeting in church – but encouraging others daily.

Romans 13:8 NIV   ⁸ Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

Don’t be in debt – love deeply and often!