Living Life by Design

Growing up, my father never hugged me or told me he loved me. I knew he loved me by his actions but as I grew older I found myself longing for a heartfelt hug or, I love you son. 

When I married the love of my life, I made a pledge that neither my wife nor my future family would never have to wonder if I truly loved them. Now I have 3 wonderful children and 6 adorable grandchildren who are all “hugger’s”. When I pick up my son in the morning for work, I’m attacked at the door by the “Double A’s”,  Alex and Andrew. There have been times when I’ve walked out the door without giving hugs only to hear screams from the house and little feet running down the walkway because I didn’t get my “Papa Hug” and, “I love you”.

My families heartfelt hugs are an illustration of the experience of God’s love. We experience God’s love through the Holy Spirit: ‘God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us’ (Romans 5:5). ‘The whole Bible,’ St Augustine observes, ‘does nothing but tell of God’s love.’

If the written word of the Bible could be changed into a spoken word and become one single voice, this voice, more powerful than the roaring of a lion would cry out: “the Father loves you!” (John 16:27). Everything that God does and says in the Bible is love, even God’s anger is nothing but love. God “is” love!’

‘But you, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love’ (Psalm 86:15).

Do you hear that knocking at the door? It’s God longing to give you a “Papa Hug” and to tell you, “I love you”.

What are you waiting for…