Several months ago, I was blessed, along with some friends from a small group Bible Study class to listen to a sermon by John Weece, minister of the Southland Christian Church in Lexington. I listen to their weekly podcast, so I’ve listened to a lot of Southland’s sermons. In this particular sermon, John Weece mentioned that he regularly picks a spot in downtown Lexington where he stands with a sign that reads “free hugs,” and does just that. He offers a free hug to anyone who wants one. No strings attached — just offers a hug to passersby who may need one that day.
I’ll admit, on first thought it seems strange — even radical. Who stands around outside with a sign giving out free hugs? Who would want a free hug from a stranger? However, he assured that his “free hugs” has afforded him the opportunity to reach people with God’s love that he may have never met, otherwise. So, some friends from our small Wednesday night Bible Study group decided that on September 3, they would offer “free hugs” outside our local Walmart for one hour.
Having two small children, I thought it was great that my friends (who didn’t have kids) would participate in this, but didn’t really think I’d have the opportunity (nor did I have much of a desire) to join them. However, a friend texted me after work that day and encouraged me to bring my three-year-old (at that time — he is now five), Jay. So … I did. What an amazing experience this proved to be for me.
Jay and I each made a poster. His said, “Need a Hug?” and Mine just said “Free Hugs.” He was thrilled throughout the experience. First, he thought it was awesome that he got to help make his own hug sign. Then, he was thrilled at the opportunity to talk to ANYONE he wanted to at Walmart. You see, Jay is quite the chatty fellow and has always had LOTS of questions — even for strangers. While it doesn’t bother me at all that he is inquisitive and friendly, it can be exhausting at times trying to help him stay reined in. He hasn’t had a keen sense of when to stop talking or asking questions — or when it’s not appropriate to ask a question. Nevertheless, I decided to tote him over to Walmart. Yes, asking complete strangers if they wanted a hug was radical, but it was right up my little Jay’s alley. As a matter of fact, talking with strangers is one of his areas of expertise.
There were about five of us that showed up that afternoon with our free hug signs and we stood on the sidewalk in front of the store for all to see. The grown ups in our group began in a bit of a backward state. Were we really doing this? But, little Jay showed no shame. He was unapologetically friendly, and couldn’t wait to give out his free hugs. As it would turn out, all of us ended up following the lead of the three-year old among us. We asked each person as they approached the store if they’d like a free hug. It was interesting to see the different reactions. Some would politely say “no thanks.” Others made no response and made no eye contact at all. Many only wanted a hug from three-year-old Jay (perhaps because he followed many of the people who walked past us through the front doors of the store pleading to give away a hug). Then, there were those who smiled with open arms, saying “why not?” Several responded that they sure could use a free hug today; and I remember one young man who didn’t smell very nice who said, “there sure isn’t a lot of free stuff in the world today,” and he proceeded to hug each and every one of us with a smile as wide as his open arms.
As a teacher with a masters degree in school counseling, I’ve done my fair share of study about people. I remember having to write papers both in undergraduate Psychology and in a graduate Multicultural counseling course about an “out of comfort zone experience.” I certainly had never chosen to give out free hugs for these papers, but I wish I had. I learned so much about myself, others, and my son through this experience. What I had assumed would be an uncomfortable and miserable hour turned out to be one of the most enjoyable and memorable experiences I believe I will recall from that time in my son’s life.
The best part about these “free hugs” that we gave away was that they were for everyone. We weren’t only appealing to individuals in our small circle of friends, in our circle of co-workers, or in our class at school. No, we were offering free hugs to anyone and everyone who would accept them. Someday, I know Jay will better understand this experience — and I know he will never forget it. He will understand someday that as we offered free hugs to everyone, Jesus offers freedom from sin to all people who are willing to accept. He doesn’t judge us for what we wear, how we smell, or where we send our children to school. He doesn’t hold our shortcomings against us. He sees us all in the same light. He sees us all as lovable, forgivable, and worthy of a relationship with him (even when the truth is that we don’t deserve that kind of love, forgiveness, or relationship). He freely offers what we cannot possibly purchase, earn, or deserve. Ephesians 2:4-5 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Matthew 18:1-4
1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
one moon mom 
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