1 John 4:7 (New International Version)
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes
from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Our deeds and words, both good and bad constantly ripple
out affecting others in ways we may never see. Although one Canadian woman had
the opportunity to see exactly what her actions caused.
At a bus stop in Toronto, Paula observed a woman who
appeared distraught and was soon crying. Not accustomed to walking up to
strangers and injecting herself into their affairs, Paula was caught off
balance by her own thoughts. “That woman needs a hug!”,
“Something in me just pushed at me”, says Paula, “and so
I walked up to her and said, you look like you need a hug.”
Gratefully, the stranger accepted the offer.
The two ladies ended up sitting together and through the
conversation Paula asked what was happening in the stranger’s life that was
tearing at her so.
The woman spoke of the rough times she was experiencing,
mentioning her heartache regarding her children. Her son was not only on drugs
but was molesting his younger sister.
Paula comforted and offered advice. One of the things she
said was, “I take a paper and place a line down the centre. I put on one side
all the things that are troubling me and on the other I place all the things I
am grateful for. Often I find there are things I can soon move over to the
positive side.”
When the two ladies parted, Paula thought she would never
see the stranger again. But life moves in strange ways. Paula was out with a
friend and happened to spot the stranger in a crowd. She rushed over to say
hello and when she did she was astounded by what she discovered.
The stranger was overjoyed to see Paula and was soon
explaining her joy. “That day when you saw me I had intended on going home and
killing my son, my daughter and myself. Your hug changed my perspective Paula.
I felt hope. I went home and I reported my son to the authorities. He was taken
away where he could get help. I just want you to know that because you hugged
me, I didn’t kill myself, my son or my daughter. With that first single move of
getting help for my son, my life began turning around. Today my son is better
and is soon to be married. Thank you so very much Paula!”
With that, two sets of eyes filled with moisture and
another hug was called for!
Dear Lord we pray that our eyes would be open today for
those that need a hug. We thank You for all You do for us help us share that
love with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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