Can I Get a Hug?
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As we have been away from Macon I have realized even more the importance of relationship. I have always known that people are valuable, but I have been awakened to a greater awareness of how I was created. I know there are people who claim to be introverts and I believe that is true. I do however think that even “introverts” have one or two people that they depend on and enjoy relationship with. I am not an introvert. I love people, I love to be around people and I enjoy meeting new people. Over the past six weeks or so we have met a lot of new people in Dixon and Lincoln, but we don’t really know them yet, not in the way that we knew friends in Macon. I miss that. One of the things I miss the most is hugs. I never thought of myself as a hugger, but it amazing how not being at a church on sunday with people you know and love will make you miss hugs. Life Center is a hugging church, I miss that. I think my family may be getting tired of all the hugs Matt and I are giving them, or maybe we are starting to make them love hugs too….
This little life hiatus we are taking right now has made me miss relationship, but it has also made me feel excited for the new relationships that are on the way. I am looking forward to making life long connections with families who are going to do life with us at Mercy City Church. I was sitting at church Saturday night and the man who was speaking referenced Ruth 1:16-17,
“16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.
17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”
This verse made me start thinking about the value of relationships, we are meant to be with people. Some relationships are seasonal and some are very brief, but some relationships are meant to be life long and I am so grateful to have some of those already. I feel even more fortunate to know that some of those relationships are just around the corner.
Our life is made up of connections with people. What is life without connections? When I think of days where I don’t spend quality time with people I realized that those are the days I feel sad and depressed. I understand we need time alone, I am not saying I don’t. There are days I spend 12 hours with my kids that I feel very sad and depressed about my life. But then there are those good days, the ones where we are making memories without even realizing it. The kind of days where inside jokes are made and laughter stick in your mind.
I hope my life is full, full of laughter and full of joy. Fullness that comes straight from the Spirit of God as he leads me into relationships with people who life me up and those who I can lift up. Friendships that add value to my life even from thousands miles away, where people know you and still love you. People who say I am with you, no matter what. People who believe in you and love you.
Today I hope you who are reading this have connections and have relationship with people. I hope that your day is filled with laughter and most of all hugs.
