Before Buddy the Elf was a twinkle in anyone’s imagination, there was Laurie. (If you haven’t seen Elf, add it to your Christmas movie list! And trust me when I tell you, hugs are his favorite.)
Laurie and I worked at the same retirement community ages ago. Among other responsibilities, Laurie was in charge of coordinating move-ins and helping people get situated in their new homes. But what I recall most about Laurie is that she owned Hug Day. Every Wednesday, she’d offer residents a cheery “Happy Hug Day!” and give them a friendly squeeze. To my knowledge, Hug Day wasn’t an official activity, just a weekly kindness Laurie took seriously.
Looking back, I wonder how many of Laurie’s “hug-ees” might have needed a hug. Who in her path could’ve been feeling blue, missing their loved one’s touch, or just longing to be seen and held?
Laurie and I haven’t seen each other in 25 years, but often she comes to mind when I’m with my friend Darla. Darla’s superpower is hugging. She has this keen insight into knowing who around her needs a hug, and she offers them freely and without reservation. If hugging were an Olympic sport, she’d win gold. When you’re on the receiving end of a Darla hug, you feel better instantly. It’s like a shot of vitamin B without the sting. Are you getting the picture? (If you’ve ever had the chance to meet (in)courage contributor, Anna Rendell, you know that hugging is one of her superpowers, too.)
This year at Community Bible Study, Darla is my core group leader. It’s a treat for us to get to be together on a weekly basis, mining God’s Word and talking through the deep things of faith with a room full of sisters growing closer to Jesus, together.
When I walked into our small group last week, I knew I was on edge. I had received some hard news the night before, and my heart was fragile. I thought I could slap a smile on my face and get through group time without anyone knowing. But when a friend seated across the room asked me a simple question, I cracked. Tears surfaced as I shook my head and answered, “I’m okay…I just can’t talk about it right now.”
She nodded in understanding. In the way women get women, everyone who saw our exchange felt my pain. Including Darla.
Up Darla stood, softly declaring, “I’m about to make this worse.” I knew what was coming as she eased over to where I was sitting and wrapped her arms around me. Pausing to let the room settle, she held me tight and prayed to the God who knows my hurt, having no need to know herself.
Nothing changed in my circumstances, but instantly I felt better. Her words and embrace were the perfect thing at the perfect time.
I thought about it later, how her small gesture yielded immediate results. I’m convinced a simple hug can be a powerful expression of God’s love. And the immediate gift of prayer is God’s presence. Receiving God’s love and coming into His presence brings supernatural peace. No wonder I felt better.
Jesus modeled this same kind of compassion throughout His ministry. He saw people, really saw them, and met them where they were. While others withdrew from those considered untouchable, Jesus moved toward them. He touched lepers (Mark 1:40–42), took children in His arms (Mark 10:13–16), and laid His hands on the weary and broken. His touch was a connection that restored dignity, offered healing, and reminded people they were loved and never beyond His reach. And, after His resurrection, Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit so we could go and do likewise.
When Darla wrapped her arms around me and prayed, she became Jesus with skin on to me. Her hug was more than human comfort; it was divine compassion clothed in friendship.
Sometimes we underestimate the quiet, ordinary ways God shows up — through a hug, a kind word, and shared prayer. Yet those are often the very moments when His presence feels most real.
In 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (ESV) we read, “ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
Through our own experience with heartache, we are developing insight, empathy, and compassion that can serve others. Isn’t that a stunning redemption of life’s pain or difficulties?
Living out our faith is often as simple as yielding to those Spirit-led promptings to remind others they are seen, loved, and not alone. Since we have “been there” ourselves, we have the benefit of seeing how God ministered to and brought us through the trial.
When I think back to Laurie and her Hug Day mission, or to Darla’s prayer-wrapped hug, I see two women living this truth. Both reflected God’s heart in ways that lingered long after the moment passed.
If you’ve received a healing hug, you already know that sometimes love doesn’t need words. And if someone was bold enough to pray for you, too? That’s icing and cherries and sprinkles on top.
Is someone around you hurting? Risk an awkward moment to offer a hug. Go a step further and pray. I think it’s what Jesus would do.
Leave a Comment
Robin, your writing reminded me of those I know with the superpower of hugging. What a delightful way to start my day. And the confidence of praying even when we don’t know what the issue is speaks loudly of Who God is! That reminded me of a lesson my sister-in-law taught to her girls when they were still in car seats. Whenever they heard sirens or saw emergency lights they’d pray for all involved. The first responders to be safe & wise & for whoever they were headed to help to be truly helped. Most often we never know who what or where our prayers in that setting were for but God can translate them into His divine comfort. Thank you, Robin for sharing. I think Wednesdays should be changed from Hump day to Hug day! Blessings (((0)))
Ruth! I started reading your comment and smiled, and continued throughout. I pray when I hear sirens, too! 🙂 Love your perspective and experience with those kind of prayers.
Robin, I am a hugger! And I love hugs in return. Each Sunday, we pass the peace in my small country church. Just about everyone greets EVERYONE with a good, hearty hug. I’ve learned more about people (even ones I have sort of known for years) in those few precious moments than I think having a conversation would yield. One gentleman comes to mind. He has returned to church after and absence of so many years. He started sitting by himself, only standing and waving at the passing of peace. He rarely joined at coffee hour. Well, I am delighted to say, we now exchange hugs, he joins us at coffee hour, and he told me how happy he felt to be accepted and acknowledged. I also remembered his grandchildren and the struggle he had raising them. He was so touched by my asking after them, he gave me a hug! In this day and age, I believe people are yearning for a connection and sometimes, just a pat on the shoulder and certainly a hug makes such a difference. I am a retired school counselor, and it gives me such joy to hear a student yell across a store- “Miss Madeline!!” and come running over to give me a hug. So, I wonder who I will be hugging today?
A thousand virtual hugs to YOU, Madeline!! There’s power in our touch, isn’t there? Thank you for sharing about your experience at church (and beyond). These are the good stories we need to hear. Simple…unheralded…accounts of connections that matter.
O I love this! I am a hugger!
This also reminds me of when I ended up living at a Military Truama Hospital where the fatally injured and ill service men are brought to, with a phone horrific phone call about my son, he was stable, but it was minute by minute, hour.…
Some one did a hug day, it was amazing and I was all about it! I ended up living there with him for over a year.
XOXO
Wow…you were a gift to the people you served. I’m assuming your son recovered? SO very thankful you were able to live with him for that season, Diana. xo
Dear Robin…………………….Your words today gave me a perfect idea for the Senior Living Facility where I live. I am giving it to our Activities Director today and she always has a few sweet words on our white activity board for the day. I loved your story and it made me smile so much. You are so right about sometimes people just need a hug. With 100 residents here, nobody knows what struggles they may have and most times they don’t want to reveal them. There are only a couple of friends here that I have told the my hurtful season, but before I started reading your devotion, I ran into someone who gave me a hug that always makes me feel better. Then I started reading your words and I thought to myself, another God-Wink that was sent to me by Jesus. In case you don’t know. I watch many Hallmark Movies, no violence, no sex, just good uplifting stories. They have quite a few at the Christmas season that started the beginning of November that have in the title of the movie the word “God-Wink”. The first time I saw one of these I learned what a God-Wink was. You probably know, but it is something that happens that many people think is a coincidence, but in truth it is a “Divine Intervention” that if you are really paying attention is a message from God. So many scriptures tell us that sometimes we miss the fact that in our daily life, when we are worried that God is not listening to our prayers, the most simple thing that happens is the answer to one of your prayers, but as Jesus whispered to me, we really need to pay attention to what we experience during our day, as God does His things the way He does as He has our life plans. Thank you so very much for this devotion and I am going to send it to some of my friends. Robin, I wish you and your family a Blessed Thanksgiving with friends and family and always remember, I love you and I haven’t seen anything that you have written for awhile. Take care………..Love, Betsy
Blessings to YOU, Betsy! Yes! I know all about God-winks <3. They are precious, aren't they? I'm praying that you continue to be light and love among your neighbors (and I love this devotion inspired you 🙂 ).
Beautiful and needed. Please send this to every physician, therapist, and Healthcare workers you can.
Some times s physical hug is not appropriate but looking your patient, client, friend in the eye and listening. Praying for them, even if they don’t know it. Making deeper connections as we go through the day. This is the need our world has. Thank you!
(((Hugs))) to you, Susan!!
Thank you for this reminder that my hugs are sent by God & I need to continue to hug (& PRAY) as I meet others. Being Jesus is what it is all about as we live our lives to shine His light to the world.
It’s a good reminder for all of us…me included 😉 🙂 .
Amen. Thank you Robin.
Mrs. Casey!!!! <3 <3 <3
Robin,
Everyday should be hug day. My ex-pastor & his wife are big time huggers. They would hug you out of church & constantly pray for you. I try to do the same each & every day. People, elderly especially, need hugs & prayers. It helps them know that someone cares for them. It makes their day. I do my best to give out hugs to everyone I see. You never know what someone is going through & the holidays can make it worse.
Hugs everyone!!
Blessings 🙂