Monday, May 23, 2011

FACE TO FACE

Do you ever just need a hug?

A big, huge, warm, embracing hug?

I know I need that – and the one person I want a hug from the most is Jesus.

Sometimes I just really miss Him.

Sometimes I just really feel lonely without Him.

I know He lives – and I know He's with me all the time. I believe that with my whole heart. It's just that sometimes I wish He was still walking around - in person…

…so I could get a hug.

Do you ever feel like that?

I've got this big old tree in my backyard. And sometimes I look out at that tree and picture a little stone bench underneath it. And then I try to picture what it would be like to look out my window someday and see someone sitting there…

…to see HIM sitting there!

What would He look like?

He'd have dark hair, and brown eyes. Kind brown eyes. He'd be wearing a white tunic of some sort, and sandals of course (Birkenstocks, maybe??). He'd look pretty plain actually. Nothing impressive about Him. In fact, He'd look a lot like most traditional depictions of Him.

And He'd just be there waiting.

So, I'd open my patio door, and step out into the backyard. He'd look up and smile. He'd pat the bench, and motion for me to come over and sit down next to Him.

And then, after wanting to talk to Him face to face for my whole life, I'd find myself completely tongue-tied.

I'd look at my hands, folded in my lap, while tears streamed down my face.

And then, one scarred hand would reach out and cover my folded hands. The other scarred hand would wipe away my tears, and then lift up my chin.

And He'd have tears in His eyes, but He'd be smiling too.

"I hear you need a hug."

Oh boy.

I'd reach out to Him and He would hug me – a big, huge, warm, embracing hug.

And everything would pour out of my soul. My entire life would be cried out to Him, and He would hold on to every moment.

Finally, I'd find my voice.

"Jesus, I want to stay like this forever."

"You will."

And then, He'd disappear.

I'd feel lonely again, and I would start missing Him.

But then I'd look over to where He had been sitting on the bench. He had left something for me – a crude, handmade crown of thorns. And attached to the crown was a note, written in His hand:

Never for a moment doubt that I am with you.

And know that I never hugged you more than when I wore this crown.


Yes, I'd love to see Him today, face to face, and get my hug. But I know He's there. All I have to do is talk to Him.

And look out my window at the pepper tree…

…I can almost see Him.


(Linked today with Wendy from Faith's Firm Foundation for Mondays are G.R.E.A.T. - Glad Rejoicing Encouraged And Thankful)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

16 comments:

  1. Great Blog Sharon,

    Thank you for sharing. Yes I think we all need those hugs.

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  2. OK, I opened my eyes this morning with a mission to be joyful. This made me cry, but it's OK. They weren't bad tears.

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  3. Ok Sharon, THAT did it!! YES... I have and do feel just that way so many times, and the way you knit all this together and gave the beautiful promise and hope at the end is another tear jerker for me, but like Debbie said, a good one. This is one I will come back and read again.

    So... how about a book??? Full of Sharon's sharings!

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  4. That was a very beautiful way to describe Jesus's being with us always. I just need one hug . . .

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  5. Beautiful...just feels like a hug from my father...hugs from others are just great, but a real hug from your own father just seems to make me think of my Heavenly Father...thanks for the post and visual.

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  6. (Hope you'll link up, Sharon--This would be great on Mondays Are Great.)
    We all need hugs, figuratively or literally. I am a "hugger" and feel the need for them often. God satisfies this need and fills me up in many ways through His Word, through the many blessings He sends, through the assurance of His Presence through the power of the Holy Spirit. And it feels so much better than any human hug ever could, and heaven will be even better than that, more than we could ask or think.
    Thanks for encouraging, and pointing our hearts to the Word and the Lord.
    Love ya,
    Wendy

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  7. Sharon, you know my heart and how it longs to be in the arms of Jesus, even though I know that I already am.
    Love you friend, for this honest and vulnerable post.

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  8. Wonderful to picture Him right there--in your backyard or mine. And He is wherever we are. He's right there next to me, waiting for me to let Him hold me and pour out my heart.
    Thank you, Sharon, for that lovely picture.

    Blessings,
    Janis

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  9. Oh Sharon, it would take pages for me to explain just how much and why this post touched my heart today. I am so blessed to have read this...thank you!
    Andie

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  10. bet that was the shortest comment ever from me... but no more words are necessary just

    (((HUGS)))

    000000000000
    Peggy

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  11. I read this yesterday, but of course I couldn't comment on it. I loved it; that's why I came back today to comment (since I figured out I can comment if I do it anonymously rather than sign in through Blogger).

    What a great reminder for us to remember Jesus is always with us! I know when I go through rough times, I would literally imagine Jesus holding me in his hands or as a lamb around his shoulders, it really helped me to visualize he was there walking with me through those tough times!

    betty

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  12. Nita - A hug from Jesus - would there be anything better in the whole wide world?!

    Debbie - Good tears are good. I hope you felt Him hug you today.

    Sonja - You are too kind! I've been thinking about it (a book) - hmmm... Promise and hope - doesn't that just sum up JESUS?!

    Karen - HUGS to you, friend!

    Sandie - Sometimes if you close your eyes you can almost feel His hug.

    Janette - I'm glad you liked it. Hugs from my dad are few - but yes, they do feel great! And they do remind me of my Heavenly Father.

    Wendy - Heaven will be awesome. Get ready for the onslaught of the "huggers!" (Thanks for reminding me about G.R.E.A.T.)

    Janet - I was thinking about the conversations we've had when I wrote this post. Sometimes He hugs us through each other.

    Janis - So glad you liked this. It's good sometimes to let our imaginations picture things. I think it opens the door to the childlike spirit we all have.

    Andie - Oh, YAY! Your comment was a real blessing to me. HUGS to you!

    Peggy - Right back at you!! OOOOOO...and one little x from me, too!

    Betty - Thanks for taking the extra time to come back and comment. (Blogger is really starting to bug me, man!) I remember that picture of Jesus with the lamb around His shoulder. I often pretended that it was me.

    Dear ones, hope that you felt His warm embrace today in some way. His presence walks beside us in every moment. He's there...

    GOD BLESS!

    HUGS to all...

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  13. Hi Sharon -

    There is no presence so satisfying - no truth so penetrating - no love so deep - no care so consuming as that of our Lord.

    I like how you expressed your hug sentiments and your deep desire for our Lord. Thank you, Sharon.

    Exodus 33:18 - KJV
    And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

    Numbers 12:8 - KJV
    With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold:...

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  14. Sandra - Oh amen to your first thoughts! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one - Jesus just seems to bring out the hug sentiments in me!! (Looks like your ability to comment is working again??)

    GOD BLESS!

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)