Yesterday my 3 year old son and my 2 year old daughter both ran to me for absolutely no reason and whipped their little arms around me and held me in a bear hug that lasted a whole minute.  There were no ulterior motives, no needing cookies, ice-cream or even a drink of water.  Just a love hug.

I’ll bet you can imagine how I felt.  Like superman!  I smiled, laughed and later, I cried to think how precious it is that my babies love me so much.  
And I’m not a perfect dad by any means.  Sometimes I get my eyes locked in on a ballgame and I don’t even hear my kids as they say, “Dad, Dad, Dad…  Dad, Dad, Dad” as they vainly attempt to get my attention.  Sometimes I love my kids because of my own selfishness, because I simply want them to love me back. 

On the other hand, our Father God always pays attention to us.  He always loves us and is always with us.   There is never a ballgame, or a movie or work to get in the way of his amazing love for us.   There are no conditions, no exceptions, and no “what have you done for me lately” comments from God.

So I can only imagine how God feels when we love him the way that my kids loved me…  When we raise our arms to heaven and hug our Father with all we’ve got…  When we say thank you with our hearts no matter what is happening in our lives.

And you know what God loves just as much?  It is when we love others the way that Jesus loves us.  Jesus said that true religion is when we come to the aid of those in need.   True religion is when we love our children, our weak, our lonely and frail.  It is when we spread God’s love to those around us, simply in thanksgiving to God.   It is a love hug.

I hope this message is a love hug – from me to you!