“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; he ran and hugged his son and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 NET Bible
Have you given someone a hug today?
Now I’m not talking about a side-arm-squeeze, I’m talking about a full-on embrace?
THE BLIND SIDE
While taking care of my gram, we watched one of my favorite movies; THE BLIND SIDE. It’s no wonder Sandra Bullock won the Academy award for her portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy; a soft-hearted, no-nonsense, tough-cookie who opened her home to a Michael Oher, an underprivileged teenage boy that showed potential for football. Leigh Anne was a caring mom with the claws of a momma bear.
Her love for Michael gave him opportunities to succeed in school, sports and family life. Her belief in Michael gave him the confidence to achieve greatness; resulting in a College football scholarship and successful career in the NFL (even playing on a winning team for the Super Bowl in 2013).
There was just one area Leigh Anne (or her character) was weak in, expressing emotions. The last scene highlights her toughness when the family is dropping Michael off to College and she cuts their good-bye short because she can’t stand for anyone to see her get emotional. My heart melts when Michael follows after her, knocks on the car door and says, “I need a proper hug”!
FATHER HUGGER
The father of the prodigal son was the exact opposite of Leigh Anne Tuohy. You can tell he was a man who wore his heart on his sleeves. He loved his son enough to let him go when he rebelled. This father let his son take the early inheritance he demanded, even though he knew his son would waste the wealth.
Many parties later, the prodigal son returns home, not sure if he’d blown it too much this time. I love how this verse reveals such a loving father. It says that when his father saw him, “his heart went out to him; he ran and hugged his son and kissed him”. Don’t we all want dads with hugs like that?
I’m convinced we don’t hug enough today. We’re either too cool, too hurt, too protective, too scared, too germ conscious, too busy…too cold. Don’t force people to knock on your door and beg saying, “I need a proper hug”? Open your arms wide this Valentines and embrace others with love!
Prayer
Father…I thank you that You are a good, good Father like in the story of the prodigal son. Your arms are always open wide to let me in. Let me soak in Your embrace and not push You away. Help me to move beyond what holds my heart bound and let others in. May I love like you this Valentine’s and all the days that follow. In Jesus Name…Amen
[tweetthis]Open your arms wide this #Valentines and embrace others with #love <3[/tweetthis]
#Dare2Share Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!
- Hancock, John Lee. THE BLIND SIDE, © 2009. Produced by Alcon Entertainment, Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Based on the book THE BLIND SIDE: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis.
YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms,
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell

I love this post. I got the best hug today. I am going to have to remember to give proper hugs more often.
Maree,
So glad you received a great {hug} today 🙂 #SpreadTheLove Happy Valentine’s Day!
~Sherry
xoxo
Hi Sherry,
I’ve been meaning to watch the Blind Side but now your post has really motivated me to do it! (Besides I love football, so I’m not sure why I haven’t seen it yet!) Your words about opening our hearts to everyone on Valentine’s Day (especially thinking of those who might not particularly enjoy the love holiday!) are where I should be focusing my thoughts and intentions. Thanks for your encouragement, friend! xo
Valerie,
Hope you KNOW you’re greatly loved on this day and every other! Buy some chocolate, get some chips and watch this great movie. You’ll be glad you did.
~Sherry
xoxo
I will never forget my freshman year of college. I had been away from home for a few weeks and someone in my dorm gave me a hug and my whole body reacted in this weird way. As I thought about it, this was the very first time I had been away from home and not gotten daily physical affection from my parents. OH MY GOODNESS….we all need to be hugged from time to time! This experience gave me the courage to hug a homeless person later that year and he actually burst into tears. He shared that it had been years since anyone had done that. So sad! Thanks for this sweet reminder today.
Sarah,
That’s such a great story! I really believe that God allows us to go through difficulties so that our heart grows, like the Grinch’s 🙂 If you had never experienced that longing to be hugged you might not have felt compelled to hug a homeless person that so desperately needed it. Hope this post encourages you to freely hug some more!
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
Such a sweet post. Yes, I make sure and get a real hug from my husband and three kids every day! It’s good for all of us.
{Hugs} are for everyone 🙂 Glad you’re all receiving your quotient at home. Keep sharing the love!
~Sherry
xoxo
One of my boys recently spent a weekend at a teen retreat where we’ve taken our kids for years and years. Every time we go there, it’s like a family reunion, and the Hello/Handshake routine just doesn’t cut it. Hugs all around! Just like heaven!
Michele,
I think I’d like your camp 🙂
~Sherry
xoxo
I adore that movie, Sherry! However, it should come with a note: Tissues required 🙂
I also love a real hug. Sometimes I’ll get a semi-hugger (I think I just made that up) who offers a light embrace with a couple of pats on the back, like that’s going to add to it. Oh no, friend, I’m not letting you go that easy. Great post!
Mandy,
I couldn’t agree more about the tissues. Your comment made me smile. I make up words all the time.
~Sherry
xoxo
Hugging does seem to be a lost habit, doesn’t it Sherry? For me, it’s one of those things that involves risk. I’m nervous to come across someone who doesn’t like others in their space. I hug my son’s girlfriends and you can tell which ones like it and which ones tolerate it. *smile* — But, I think you’re right, even if we don’t “feel” like we do, we all could use a proper hug sometimes. 🙂 — Thanks for sharing with #ChasingCommunity today, Sherry. <3
Brenda,
I hear you. Sometimes the stiff, hug tolerators are the ones who need them the most! My joy to be a part of the community.
~Sherry
xoxo
We can too often take for granted how important those hugs are. Thanks for reminding me today, Sherry. May I be a better hugger as a result!
Lisa,
{Hug} well 🙂
~Sherry
xoxo
I have a friend who keeps telling me how much she loves The Blind Side but I haven’t seen it yet. I’ll have to check it out. So true that sometimes we do just need a proper hug. I love the example of the father in the parable and his readiness to show love. Visiting from #HeartEncouragement.
Lesley,
Great to connect with my #HeartEncouragement girlfriends! You’ll love the movie. Hope you got lots of {hugs} this week 🙂
~Sherry
xoxo
Getting to your post late in the week, but loved it! Thanks for reminding me to hug more. I think I’ll go hug my son.
Laura,
{Hug} away!
~Sherry
xoxo
My cousin Laura used to always say that. I want a real hug.
Thanks for the reminder, Sherry, to reach out, not just one day, but regularly. There’s health benefits to hugging too!
Crystal,
There are SO many benefits to {hugs} and I want to experience them all 🙂 Hope you had a loving Valentine’s Day.
~Sherry
xoxo
The Blind Side is a powerful movie. So inspirational. Going beyond our selves and making a difference can start with a hug. Thanks for reminding us of Father God’s open arms and for us to do the same with others. Also, thanks for the blogger prayers! That’s awesome! Praying for you, too, friend. 🙂
Kelly,
I am praying for you. God is using your blog posts to help others stay spiritually nourished. Thanks for your prayers.
~Sherry
xoxo
This is one of my favorite movies – because she was strong and tough enough – and gentle and loving enough – to love someone who wasn’t hers – but he was lost and she took him in. Some people are better at hugs than others – I think it’s a love language things – but with all my boys, I’ve made a point to hug them – whether they want those hugs or not!
I would have to agree with you about the love language issue.
Keep hugging those boys ?
~Sherry
xoxo