Daily Archives: November 10, 2008

Monkey hugs.

Zach is the best at these. At almost three and a half, he can still give the most cuddly, melt-in-your-arms hugs. He’s never had the baby chub most kids do; he’s tall and lean. He doesn’t look squeezable, but he’s an expert, an irrisistible bundle of affection — when he wants to be. Sometimes treasures warrant their value by being rare. Oh, but I would revel in his hugs a hundred times a day, if he’d give them. Instead, he prefers the sneak attack. When I’m least expecting it, he’ll jump up and wrap his arms, legs, neck and head as tightly as he can around me. I don’t even have to hold on. He’s my little chimpanzee, using his whole body and soul to show his love.

I wonder … how different would my life be if I gave God monkey hugs? What would change if I wrapped my body and soul around His Word and His will? What if I offered uninhibited affection toward Him? Too often I reserve my praise for “safe” situations, like at home alone or only with other like-minded people. What if I didn’t think about what others thought before shouting honor to God? Before thanking Him for His blessings? For answers to prayers I was afraid to speak? What if …

As a sidenote, I don’t actually keep an itemized list of all the reasons why I love being a mama, but that’s not a bad idea! I always encourage new brides to keep a journal of the reasons she loves her man. On the honeymoon, it’s easy to remember how he makes your heart flutter, but I guarantee there will be days that make you wonder why you married him. The journal is for those short-term memory days when you need a little help seeing the best part of your mate. Mamas definitely have short-term memory days too! Why did I decide to quit my job and stay home? What possessed me to have more than one? How much longer until bedtime? Oh, yeah, there are definitely days I need to remember why I love being a mama.

If you’re a mama, what’s your favorite part? If you’re not, how do you give God monkey hugs?