><>...Good morning Mark...><>
You wrote:
However, many of those same people, will hesitate to embrace someone as a real
sign of affection. Using myself as an example(its always safer that way:-) ) there
have been many times that I can think of that someone I know has said, done,
reflected something that I thought was exceptionally, beautiful or moving. many of
those times, my first reaction is to hug that person, or
acknowledge how they have
Why would I hesitate to show real affection at that moment, when I may have
embraced that same person in greeting just moments before?
Mark,the absence of a hug in this circumstance and many others, is not the absence of love. Hugs are reserved for our kids, our families, our special friends and special occasions. Hugs are warm and meaningful. They say something special. If everybody went around hugging everybody all the time, they would become less meaningful. Many people in other cultures do it as often as we shake someone's hand. It is not much more than a formal greeting, and sometimes very empty, not much love, or even any warmth in it.
Hugs are a special kind of expression reserved fro special ocassions. A coulpe of months ago I was in a very busy downtown area on business.I was with a friend who happened to have on a shirt he just bought while in So. Africa. A stranger approached us and began to converse about that shirt, saying that was where he was from. One word led to another and before you knew it 15 minutes later the stranger and I were hugging.
He hung on for dear life, and began to weep. When we finally let go, he leaned back on a store front and looked at me in awe. He said
"now my day is good". I tell this to you only to point out that you will just know when someone needs more than just a friendly smile, or some words of support. Ask God to show you their soul. He will!
Love is, always a good word, or a smile.
Love is, sometimes setting one straight, when they are going astray.
Love is,sometimes saying no, when yes is easier.
Love is,not putting a dollar in the blinds man's cup, but helping him see a better way.
Love is, sometimes just a hug
Love is, not handing out food stamps forever, but showing the recepient that they have talents and are worthy of hire.
Love is,sitting in an airport and encouraging a stranger.
Love is,caring enough for our fellow human being to help him/her find God.
Love is, truth,
And sometimes,
Love is, saying you're sorry.
But most of all
Love is forgiveness.
The kind of love that my Lord Jesus has for mankind is without limits, and greater than all the love this entire population of mankind could ever gather up. He loved us all enough to go to the cross for us. And I always think, Dear God if you could love us all that much than I could at least love enough to remind others of your love for us.
Believing that Jesus loved us all that much also makes it easier to forgive others of their transgressions against me. When I see in my mind's eye that day that my precious Lord Jesus hung in agaony on the cross, I see Him looking down at the ones who put Him there and I hear Him saying:
"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots."
Now that's love!
Mark In conclusion I just want to say that there is none like Him, there is no other, He is perfect, and His love is without limits. We, none of us, could ever have as much love as Jesus The Christ.
You see Mark it wasn't the nails that held Him to that cross, It was His love for us.....He is love!
Sincerely,
Shalom...><>
BTW Mark,thanks for showing such a private part of your self. |
