What’s a God-hug?
God-hugs are those wonderful moments of grace, insight, wisdom, or love that come to you out of the blue at exactly the moment you need them most. Sometimes it’s a phone call, or perhaps a note or letter. More often than not, it’s something you hear or read or see. It can be a direct message spoken by another person, even a stranger. My friend Susan Massie told me one time of a God-hug she received as she was wallowing in the pain of a disintegrating marriage. It was painted in huge letters on the side of a passing eighteen-wheeler: “Grace.”
You know it’s a God-hug when its timing is so powerful and so perfect, there is no doubt a higher power is involved. Yet even God needs messengers for these earthly deliveries.
God uses others to deliver hugs
This week, my wonderful sister Sarah was the primary purveyor of God-hugs to me (and probably to others, knowing the way she works). She caught me in a tearful mood on Monday morning as I was feeling stressed by numerous small life bumps, deadlines, weight gain, and too many people wanting a piece of me. At the root of my struggles was my propensity for ignoring essential self-care (including making healthy food choices) and using the deluded excuse that helping others was more important.
I know better.
I’ve preached elsewhere in this blog about the importance of valuing yourself (“Are you kind to yourself?”), but it’s just very hard for me.
Sarah knows me too well. Every day this week, she’s sent me short messages of encouragement, each perfectly in synch with my mood and piercingly effective in getting me back on track. This morning, she sent me a link to my Aries Horoscope by Stephanie Azaria:
You’ve recently awakened to the importance of bringing your physical body into alignment with the rest of you, not that you’re one to neglect it, but constant repair is in order as we get on with our lives. A newly healed part of you is ready for action, and because of this well-being, you are more emotionally alive than you can remember. It’s a welcome surprise. Emotion is an energy, a flow that provides the movement toward a more heart-centered experience, provided you’re willing to ride those feelings without identifying too closely with them. Ups and downs are part of life. Riding them so hard that they hurt and disrupt you is optional. You’re about to realize your mission as a great pioneering soul on the planet.
Whatever your life has just moved you through is what you came here to teach others.
Paradigm shift
Wow! Can you imagine how much that changed the conversation in my head? Besides the obvious self-care lesson, it reframed the issues to become stepping stones instead of obstacles. It also felt like a confirmation of my mission here at Heartspoken: to share what I learn about connection in my own journey in hopes it will help you in yours. And what is connection if not a conduit for God’s love?
I love you, Sarah, and am so grateful you let God use you in this beautiful way.
Yes, I struggle with wanting to control my own destiny. Too often, I succumb to the “tyranny of shoulds” and think I have to do this or that, just because I can. How easy it is to launch into frenzied activity without taking the time to ask for guidance from above, my mind and gut in a twisted ball of stress and anxiety. When I allow this to happen, I leave no room for the still small voice of Spirit, and what a mistake that always is for me!
Oh, but when I do take that time—when I really stop and mentally place myself in God’s light and love, ask to be shown the way, and step forth in confidence that the way will become clear—then, like fireflies coming out on a warm summer evening, God-hugs start popping out from all around me, bringing their light to illumine my path.
When has a gesture or event felt like a God-hug to you? What connection might you make today that could be a God-hug for someone else?
Photo Credit: “Fireflies” by Mark Rasmussen via BigStockPhoto
I am not familiar with God-Hugs, so thank you, Elizabeth, for bringing them to my attention. Getting to know you has been a wonderful time in my life.
Connie
Thank so much for visiting and commenting, Connie. You may not have been familiar with the term God-Hugs, but I know for a fact that God has used you for years as a God-Hug delivery person!
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Thanks for visiting. The “God made a farmer” video is touching. Having grown up on a farm myself, and seen how hard my father worked, I’m glad someone is paying tribute to this group of great Americans.
Beautiful and inspiring post! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting, Anita.
You’re doing some good work helping business owners be more productive. I’ve just stopped by your site and your FB page. Let’s talk!
I SO believe in God Hugs. Yes, reading Karen’s comment above, I got tingles. We have God’s grace all around us (and in those hugs), and we too often don’t stop to see/feel it. Thanks for writing a wonderful post.
You are so right, Pamela, and I so appreciate your reading and commenting on this important reminder: we need to stop rushing and start receiving these gifts of grace and love.
Hey, I haven’t kept up with you and see you’ve recently published a book, The Right Wrong Man! Congratulations. I’ve just downloaded it to my Kindle and look forward to reading it.
Shoulda, coulda, woulda. Yeah, I have sort of given that up. I realize the time I took off (without work but with a large bank account) was not wasted. I spent a lot of time with my family. I spent a lot of time with myself. I wrote, learned to write better, enjoyed a spring day, enjoyed coffee with friends, sat on the stoop and watched the rushing world go by. I have often seen God’s grace when everyone around me is too busy to notice it or hear it. A beautiful sunrise or sunset. A blooming flower. A butterfly. A child’s giggle. A clap of thunder. The stars in a clear sky. And of course, a great book.
Karen, you’ve added a critical dimension to this conversation! To become aware of these moments of grace, we have to be open to them, and more often than not, this means stopping, taking a break, creating that sacred space in which we receive these precious gifts. Thank you for this wonderful reminder.
Thanks, Elizabeth. Just today I walked outside at lunch time and I realized it was not a negative temp (yesterday it was minus 50). I stopped and thought, “How nice this day!” Remember the “grateful jar?” I have two – one at work and one at home – and I have the most insignificant things jotted on my grateful notes. But it’s all the little, insignificant things that make for a wonderful life.
Yes, indeed! So glad you reminded me of the “grateful jar” – if you can come up with the link, please post it in a comment here.
I hope my readers will go enjoy your wonderful Word Shark blog, Karen. You introduce us to so many wonderful writers and creative types, not to mention your own terrific advice about writing and editing.
Oh, gosh, no. I didn’t save the link (grrr). But I have a cup at home (and it’s brimming) and a large box at work. Thanks for the plug. 🙂
Well now, I am the lucky one to have Elizabeth Cottrell as a sister–all of us who know and love her know that she probably gets “high roller” status in giving God-Hugs to those she knows and, through her social media connections, millions she doesn’t know (yet!)
I love you back Sis and this very post you wrote is a god-hug for all of us reading it. Thank you for your continued courage to write and put yourself out there. As usual, even in a dark hour, you’re an inspiration to the rest of us! I’m so glad the day looks bright again and that my notes were helpful to you!
[And a little universal god-hug just arrived on Pandora with “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” by Fiddlesticks. Gorgeous! http://youtu.be/Qx61UO8F5Kc%5D
Oh, Sarah, the rendition of “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” is absolutely breathtaking! It’s from the Fiddlesticks album called Farewell to Nauvoo – Hymns and Songs of the Mormon Pioneers. Thank you for yet another God-hug!
It makes me happy to know that you bring your amazing intuition skills to your executive coaching work at Leadership Innovations. I’m so proud of you!
Elizabeth, I am grateful for your sister! January has a way of promising all sorts of fresh starts, yet often should just be the month we take lots of long hot baths and naps to recover our spirits and forge ahead. (And of course, I know exercise should be in there…I did twice in the month, yay for me ;)!) Learning to give ourselves God Hugs is essential in our understanding of sufficiency, I think. Getting them from others is such a bonus.
I loved this post and hope that every day you are taking one step more out of the sad spaces that claimed you on Monday. I especially loved these words from your horoscope (I’m a Cancer, but I’m going to borrow these and then go look up waht Stephanie Azaria has to say to me!): Emotion is an energy, a flow that provides the movement toward a more heart centered experience, provided you’re willing to ride those feelings without identifying too closely with them. Ups and downs are part of life. Riding them so hard that they hurt and disrupt you is optional.
I love you dear friend and wish you well and wellness!
Mimi
Mimi, if anyone could count the number of God-hugs YOU have delivered in your lifetime, it would be staggering! It always makes me happy when you pop into my mind (or on my computer screen).
Yes, I’m many steps away from the sad spaces earlier in the week. The secret sauce for me is getting enough sleep, but I find it so hard to let the day go!
You’ve had more than your share of ups and downs lately. I hope you’re riding them as lightly as a body surfer on the waves and that they’re carrying you to a shore that is firm and feels like home.
I love you too!
I know what it is like to get those Stephanie Azaria astrology readings handed to me just when I need them. I am the lucky man married to your wonderful sister Sarah and I can tell you all about “God-Hugs!” Often, after listening to her read last week’s or this week’s horoscope we will look at each other with a level of astonishment and say, “Wow…she’s really on track!” Or better yet, we look at the coming week ‘s message and walk through the door with knowledge that we are not alone. Our place in the universe is special. We are here for a purpose and sometimes we get those God-Hugs to remind us of our purpose. Other times, we are privileged and honored to be the one to deliver those messages. And sometimes I think it is just one big ol’ group hug! Thank you for your wonderful thoughts.
Ahhhhh, Andy, you are the best!
Just thinking of you and your loving presence in our family makes me smile. How happy I am to know you and Sarah found each other and can share these special things together.
“Our place in the universe is special.” Yes, yes yes!
Elizabeth,
I was right there with you in this mindset at the end of last month. I was stressed out from the holidays and moved far away from what I worked on the previous 11 months by neglecting myself all of December.
I thank my higher power every morning that I get another chance to try to move in the direction that I really want myself to go. When I get to that point of surrender and let my HP take over and just ask to serve his will and put my goals into action, everything falls into place. All it takes is a little planning and a little faith. Having people along side you to partner with in your goals, for accountability, is great too.
Let me know. I would love to check in on you and see how things are going. I am back down almost 10 lbs. since the beginning of January and on my way to telling myself everyday that 2013 will be a great year, if I just have trust and do what I need to do.
I just celebrated 3 years of sobriety on January 29th. Three years ago I was given the opportunity by my God to live a different life as long as I helped others first and tried to be the best person I could. That is really all we can do. Do your best and love others. But first, love yourself and forgive yourself for any of your shortcomings. We are only human.
With Brotherly love,
Tony.
Tony, I am grateful and moved by your beautiful and heartfelt comment. Thank you for sharing your own journey and faith. I am convinced that in doing so, we have the most potential for helping others, and you have certainly encouraged me today.
God bless you in facing your own challenges.
A beautiful post. And a lesson I really need to remember. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Thank you so much for visiting and commenting, Kathy. I especially appreciate your comment, because this year I’m working on being more open about my feelings and beliefs in hopes that it will be more helpful and meaningful to others. That means stretching outside my comfort zone, so your thoughtful comment was very affirming.