Aren’t love hugs the best? Love Hugs! At least that’s what my kids call them. You know the hugs I’m talking about, right? They’re the full-out, whole-body, “You’re the only thing in my world right now” embraces that make you feel like a million bucks!

When my kids whip their arms around me with a love hug, I feel like a hero! Sometimes I cry, but usually I laugh. I love when my kids love me because I love THEM oh so much! And I’m not a perfect dad by any means. Sometimes I get locked into watching a ballgame and I don’t even hear my kids as they call out, “Dad, Dad, Dad. . .” attempting to get my attention.

I’m only an imperfect human, but I sure do love my kids, and this helps me to understand how our Father in Heaven must love us as his children! How can I fathom a love that big?! I know how much I love my kids, and to think a perfect God – the one who created love and who created my kids – loves me and loves them, loves us, all as his own children! Wow.

That understanding gets even better the more I learn about God. Our Heavenly Father always pays attention to us, always loves us and is always with us. There is never a ballgame, a movie or a call from work that gets in the way of his amazing love for us. There are no conditions, no exceptions, and no “what have you done for me lately?” expectations from God.

Now, imagine how God feels when we love him back, just like a little child. When we raise our arms to heaven and hug our Father with all we’ve got. When we say thank you with our whole heart, no matter what is happening in our lives. Yes, when we “love hug” God, he “love hugs” us right back.

Ah, love hugs. Hugs that don’t need an explanation or a reason. Hugs that say it all without any words. Hugs that forget for a moment that the rest of the world exists. Hugs that say, “All I need is you.”  And do you know one of the very best ways to give God a hug?  By hugging someone else. Jesus said, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (Jn 13:34). And the Bible even reassures us of this truth when it says, “If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (1 Jn 4:12).

In other words, when we share God’s love with those around us, it is truly the best way for us to show God that we love him! It’s as if, when I’m love hugging someone else, God is love hugging us both!  So who do you know who needs to be loved today?   Wouldn’t it be great to give away some love hugs? They are free, yet they are priceless. They’re so easy, but their impact is huge.

Let’s pray, Dear Jesus, please help me not be afraid to love hug someone who needs it. Help me to be brave enough to hold hands and pray with others. Give me courage, Lord, so I can offer encouragement to others. And thank you for the love hugs you give me!