Fist Bumps, Hand Shakes, Salutes and Hugs!

Acts 20:1  And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

Acts 20:37  And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, 38  Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

Churches! Filled with all kinds of people, gabby talkers, hesitating hermits, emotional huggers, fist-bumping jocks.

Have you ever tried to throw a bro hug on a dude and he is not in the least bit interested in sharing tender moments of close fellowship? AWKWARD!

Here is Paul, the guy with the weak physical constitution and rock hard spirit. Not a real softy, by any means. He wraps the believers in his arms and plants a holy kiss on the cheeks of the brethren. I am sure many of them would have settled for a holy Aloha, but they got a full-bodied embrace.

Thing is, he knew that his life was in constant peril and that seeing any of these folks again on this side of glory was unlikely. So he made his farewells memorable.

Gets me to thinking, as I am about to head out of town on a ministry excursion, how many good words were left unsaid? How many hugs were relegated to a hand shake, fist bump or salute?

I may never get to wrap my little girl in my arms again. (Lord knows that when I dropped her off at middle school this morning, the last thing she wanted was a public display of affection from her old man!) That little peck with the wife was pretty lame if it ends up being the last one due to unforeseen circumstances.

So, if you think an appropriate hug is the thing to do, take Paul's example and show people what they mean to you.