This was already on my fb from 2 days ago, but it ties in more of the story from Ammon and Aaron so I wanted them both in the same place.
My goal for 2018: Give better hugs.
We’ve been studying Ammon and Aaron from the Book of Mormon in seminary. Their story is rich with application to our lives, but I was thinking of laying down our weapons of war. Specifically, keeping people at a distance. I think of it as a weapon of war because it’s not a character trait of the Savior. This picture was taken several years ago and the man giving me a hug was a complete stranger. His name is Tim and he was locally famous for having Down syndrome and owning a restaurant. Tim wanted to spread love and happiness. He didn’t care your political affiliation, your religion, what sports team you liked, if you had a grumpy disposition, unbearably shy, or narcissistic, you received a genuine hug that left you a better person. I imagine that’s the kind of hug our Savior gives. One that says; I see you, I hear you, and I’m here for you. We live in unstable and turbulent times where keeping people at a distance seems a necessity for survival. Giving hugs may soon be outlawed considering the social climate, but we cannot let the environment of the world keep us from fulfilling our covenants of mourning with and comforting others. To me a genuine hug is a physical manifestation of ‘I was a stranger and ye took me in.’ It’s taking people into your heart and filling it with the pure love of Christ. We can’t let the world divide us. So, if you’re in need of a real hug, seek me out. I’m going to do my best to get past the awkwardness and go in for a genuine hug, and not be the first to let go and hopefully one day I’ll have the same eyes with which to view my fellow man with as Tim and Jesus Christ
We’ve been studying Ammon and Aaron from the Book of Mormon in seminary. Their story is rich with application to our lives, but I was thinking of laying down our weapons of war. Specifically, keeping people at a distance. I think of it as a weapon of war because it’s not a character trait of the Savior. This picture was taken several years ago and the man giving me a hug was a complete stranger. His name is Tim and he was locally famous for having Down syndrome and owning a restaurant. Tim wanted to spread love and happiness. He didn’t care your political affiliation, your religion, what sports team you liked, if you had a grumpy disposition, unbearably shy, or narcissistic, you received a genuine hug that left you a better person. I imagine that’s the kind of hug our Savior gives. One that says; I see you, I hear you, and I’m here for you. We live in unstable and turbulent times where keeping people at a distance seems a necessity for survival. Giving hugs may soon be outlawed considering the social climate, but we cannot let the environment of the world keep us from fulfilling our covenants of mourning with and comforting others. To me a genuine hug is a physical manifestation of ‘I was a stranger and ye took me in.’ It’s taking people into your heart and filling it with the pure love of Christ. We can’t let the world divide us. So, if you’re in need of a real hug, seek me out. I’m going to do my best to get past the awkwardness and go in for a genuine hug, and not be the first to let go and hopefully one day I’ll have the same eyes with which to view my fellow man with as Tim and Jesus Christ
That is where the post ended. I will say that there will be plenty that will take this to the creepy level. My husband even joked with me about all the men that would take me up on the hug. My eyes were rolling. It's a shame that our world has become so sexualized. I get it. Har har. But if you're going to be a creep about getting a hug, then expect a punch to the face. I am a Gemini after all. This is a healing hug. It's also real hard to be mad at someone when you've just received or given this kind of hug. So start giving better hugs to people who aren't creeps and then use discernment for all others. Which leads me to mention; there is a post coming up on discernment.
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