Claudia de Breij wrote a beautiful song some years ago ..
Can I be with you?
when the war comes
And if I have to take shelter
May I be with you?
When there is a club I don’t belong to
Can I join you?
.. A hug.. never thought I was going to miss that. With today’s measures, many people have to miss it, especially when they are alone. We need it. It can feel like comfort, warmth, encouragement, security and understanding.
Sometimes words fall short and an embrace can fill in those words. When I closed my heart at the age of 14, I no longer wanted hugs. I had suffered damage, I kept my distance with words. Big mouth, small heart. Protecting that little heart with hand and tooth. Barbed wire stretched around me, don’t come to close…so hurt by life.
In 2017 we leave with a group of women to Romania. What a warm people. Everywhere we come we receive a hug. Spontaneously my heart opened for these people and I changed from a distanced person to someone who can give and receive a hug .. At home I try to continue but I still fall back into the old pattern.
What struck me was when I heard it has to do with acceptance. When we don’t get hugs, it can feel that we are not accepted. In the message of Luke it is written that the disciples of Jesus did not want the children to be brought to Him. Parents wanted to have their children blessed. “No, .. get away from Jesus .. he really has no time for that”!
they would say but look what happened ..
Mark 10: 13-16 People tried to bring children to Him [Jesus] to be touched and blessed by him, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw that, he was excited and said to them, “Let the children come to me, do not stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to who is like them. I assure you, whoever is not open to the kingdom of God as a child will certainly not enter it.” He took the children in his arms and blessed them by laying His hands on them.
Wow! He not only blessed them, He takes them in His arms! Jesus does not say … be taught well, make sure you know everything, be the best, but He says … become like a child .. I will cherish, protect and take that child (you) in my arms .. When you feel alone, left by everyone .. lack of contact .. Know that Jesus wants to embrace you .. and you can ask .. Lord Jesus may I be with you ..