~ the grace of a hug ~
Hello, friends! It’s the last Monday in March and the beginning of Passion Week. On Sunday, our pastor walked us through the last week of Christ before the crucifixion. It’s interesting that I hung on each of his words and they rekindled so much in my heart. It has been more than a hot minute since we’ve been settled in a church at Easter time. I witnessed so much joy as seats filled up and conversations lingered. Is it the nearing of Easter, spring weather, or maybe the hope that Covid vaccines will bring lives around to more normality? I cannot answer that one…maybe it’s all of those things and something that the Lord is doing to renew the hope in his people.
I probably haven’t shared too much here about my desire to and pursuit of health and wellness coaching. As I have listened to the recommendations over the last year on how to fight Covid, I have not heard how we can take responsibility for our health outside of masks, social distancing, and hand-washing. I’m not saying any of those are wrong or bad, but I hope there is more we can do to live a life of health if possible. I know everything the Lord provided at Creation was good, our bodies are wonderfully made, and He has provided what we need for life and godliness.
As I have been studying to learn more about a few minor health issues I seem to have, it has been so interesting to learn about how my genes work. It’s fascinating how certain vitamins, minerals, herbs, and food help the body to heal itself. I can’t help but be thankful for the grace of God providing so much in Creation for his human creatures to heal. How kind is that?
I have also seen the kindness and grace of the Lord in the longevity of my dad. He is 92 and although he has some slight dementia, he is healthy. He does not take any meds. I would not be surprised if he makes to 100 as many of his family members have lived that long and longer. This also made me think about my age and how much I am like him. If I should live to be 92, I still have more than 30 years on this planet. How am I going to live? What is important enough to capture my time? What about yours? I’ve been thinking the pursuit of helping others become healthy physically and spiritually are worth those years and more.
I was reminded of something while I was reading about all of these fascinating health things. It is serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and is released through hugging {among other ways}. This feel-good hormone does just that – makes us feel good. On Sunday, I received a hug from a friend. Can I say, and it probably pertains to you as well, I have received very few hugs in the last year except from my husband. I sensed the difference in me and I noticed it in others as people conversed and yes, hugged. There are advantages to hugging other than serotonin. Hugs relieve stress and pain, they make us happier, and yes, even improve our immune systems. Oh, Jesus! He knew we needed community. He knew we needed hugs. Our long year of isolation and social distancing has brought havoc to our lives in many ways. My hope is we all will be able to see people and linger with them over conversations of Jesus and the hope in Him. I hope we will receive the grace of hugs. I hope the magnitude of Passion Week falls deeply in your heart to deepen your love of the Savior.
~grace & blessings, Carrie
Brooke says
Hugs are the best!! I’ve missed them probably more than anything this past year!!
Lauren Renee Sparks says
Thanks so much for sharing what you are learning!
Amy johnson says
Thank you for the party. I’m glad you had such a great Palm Sunday.
Leslie Susan Clingan says
That’s one of the things I’ve missed most since retirement…the hugs. The hugs from my babies, my students. The hugs from teachers and parents. PC is not a big hugger so I have adapted. But I miss those little arms around my waist at school. And this past year without the hugs of my beloved grandbabies and daughters has been doubly difficult.
We returned to church last week. Hope to go again this week, too. Slowly but surely things are returning to normal.
My mother is in excellent physical health, like your father. With the exception of dementia. I am grateful to still have her in my life. And cannot wait to see her soon and hug her neck!!