There’s a lot of hugging the Bible. You won’t find the actual word in the ESV, KJV, NKJV, or the NIV, but it’s there.
Jacob hugs his grandsons (Genesis 48:10).
Ruth hugs Naomi shortly after both suffered the loss of their husbands (Ruth 1:14).
Esau hugs Jacob, which is a little funny since they weren’t on hugging terms (Genesis 33:4).
Our Lord hugs children (Mark 10:16).
The old man hugs his prodigal son when he comes home (Luke 15:10).
The elders in the Ephesian church hug Paul when he says goodbye (Acts 20:37).
I am not a hugger – grandchildren are the exception – and never have been. It’s not a phobia or anything. I am simply not all that interested, but…
Improving My Marriage
Later this year, Brenda and I will celebrate 39 years of marriage, if the Lord wills. We have a good marriage, a really good marriage. My library is full of books on marriage. I read most everything about marriage I can get my hands on. I have every intention of continuing to read on the subject until one of us is with the Lord. My marriage isn’t as good as it could be, and I want it to be better.
A few months ago, while thinking on marriage and on this simple phrase from Song of Solomon, I made a conscious decision to implement a daily practice in my union with Brenda.
“His right hand embraces me (2:6)”
Brenda and I have rituals in our marriage. For example, I regularly leave the house in the morning before she does. I kiss her goodbye. At the end of the day, whoever is home first (usually Brenda) greets upon arrival the other (usually me) with a kiss (1 Peter 5:14, et al). It’s a good habit.
Not long ago, I thought, “I don’t hug her enough. I don’t really hug her at all. I should start doing that.” So, I started hugging her every day, without fail. I mean, it’s not that hard to do. And I told her what I am doing. She knows I am going to hug her every day for no other reason than she’s my wife, and, it seems to me, to be a really good thing for a husband to do.
Early Returns
I’ll admit my exegesis of the Scripture on the subject might be sketchy. There’s no command in the Bible mandating a husband hug his wife, and the brief line in Song of Solomon sets no standard to achieve. Still, I cannot deny the quick results and kick myself for not embracing this a long time ago. Since I started hugging her EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. I look at her differently…better…softer…kinder…more patiently…more appreciatively…maybe more like our Lord looks at us, the church, his bride (Ephesians 5:25-33).
Will a hug a day keep the bad marriage vibes away? I can’t make any promises, but I can witness the positive impact on an already good marriage. I’d be surprised if it didn’t do the same for you.
As always, thanks for reading, and I welcome your feedback and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.