Old dog, new tricks
Never to old to learn new things
Being a “huggy” kind of guy had never been on my radar. Nor was being the type of person who would say I love or even “love ya”. That is until a challenge was issued to me by a dear person that I respected and yes loved. The challenge was issued for me to begin to hug others- a 20-second hug was the key to the challenge. No longer a simple pat on the back or a handshake. This was difficult given my personality (introvert) and the recent COVID scare (which had ended). The second part of the challenge was to never part from those I care about without saying love you or I love you or even just love ya. This was to include any text communication. The challenge forced me to consider new possibilities. 1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins”. Earnestly? Had I ever loved earnestly? Had I expressed it in a meaningful manner? There was great irony considering that what I desired the most from others was the most difficult for me to do or to share. Amazing how love became possible. What began as a major discomfort has provided me a new freedom to take the risk of letting people know that they are loved by me “to love earnestly”. This lesson (challenge) has held several stumbling blocks and levels of uncomfortableness that have required trial and error to overcome. I still feel very awkward in hugging and telling folks that they are loved by me. But what a glorious thing to give- it is what I have so desired in my own life. Suddenly I have come to realize that as I love “earnestly” I am loved earnestly!
Moral of the story? Hug someone today! Let people know that you love them. It’ll melt your heart and it will grow your heart. Special thanks to those who have allowed me to hug (mostly awkwardly). In sharing my love, I experienced the great discovery of being loved. It’s worth the risk. My Prayer: Lord, when it comes to love I continue to struggle. I know that you love me and that I do not doubt. Due to the hurt and pain of my life- loving earnestly has been difficult, Difficult to accept love and to give love earnestly. Life experience had become an excuse to be hard-hearted and distant. Continue to open my heart. My desire is for me to be able to love others genuinely, “earnestly”. Help me overcome the barriers of regret, and hurt, to experience love in a way that only you can bring about. There has been a fortress around my heart built when I have pushed love away, when I have felt unworthy of love when love seemed improbable when my selfishness ruled my heart. Overcome my fear with your love, with your grace, mercy, so that I might begin to earnestly love and be loved. Forgive me for the shallowness, the emptiness that has been my level of love. You have surrounded me with your love and with loving people at the right time. Thank You for loving me and now transforming me with your love, one moment at a time.
Amen
Pastor Mike
