BOA #102 - Hugs that Help! - a podcast by Dr. Stan Ott

The literal words Luke uses to describe the father hugging the prodigal son, “He fell upon his neck,“ are precisely the same words Luke uses to describe the elders in Ephesus “falling on the neck,” that is, hugging Paul. In both cases, Luke is describing people who by their very hugs are saying, “I love you and I’m not letting go of you!”

Hugging is an oddly complex topic today because there are matters of appropriate boundaries and proprieties, of acceptable and unacceptable settings to hug people. Yet, we all know how a warm hug can communicate love. Even without the words a hug can communicate “I love you and I’m not letting go of you!” A hug with the words of love is even better!

Gary Chapman writes about five love languages and physical touch is one of them.

Be aware of the people in your life who would appreciate appropriate touch, such as a warm hug or a tap on the shoulder. I always imagine Jesus with his arms outstretched when he says, “Come to me all who are weak and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” He wants to fall on your neck hugging you and to whisper in your ear, “I love you. I’m never letting go of you.” As a matter of fact, that’s something you can whisper back to Jesus!

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