Wrap Me in a Hug

In my preteen and early teenage years, I remember helping my mom wrap Christmas presents.  It was our time together—personal, simple, and quietly joyful.  After we finished, she would always throw her arms around me and wrap me in a hug.

Even into my 20s, I was no stranger to those loving embraces.  They were part of who she was.  When she passed away at the young age of 58, those hugs became something I deeply missed.

When I married my wife, it felt like God saw that empty place in my heart and filled it in an unexpected way—with my 4’-8” Italian mother-in-law.  Every time I saw her, she would wrap me in a hug, pull this 6’-3” lug down to her level, and kiss me in the ear—nearly snapping my neck in the process.  She had so much love to give, and it reminded me so much of my mom and the love she showed me.

I have a picture on my phone of Jesus kneeling with His arms outstretched.  In the foreground, several sheep are running toward Him.  A caption could read, “My sheep know My voice.”  When I look at that picture, I imagine Jesus embracing each one as they gather around Him, patiently waiting their turn.

There’s a satisfaction in that image that words can hardly express.  And I can only imagine the day when Jesus welcomes me into His kingdom with open arms—wrapping me in a hug and saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.  Enter into the joy of the Lord.”

Hugs are certainly treasured here on earth.  But the thought of that moment—when I enter the gates of heaven, see Him face to face, and feel His arms around me—that will be the greatest embrace of all.

Written by,

Papa Boyd