Monday we decided to go out on the streets to physically show God’s love. Michelle made “Free Hugs!” t-shirts that the girls wore and we headed out to give hugs (The guys opted to video… video can be viewed on Will’s blog). It was evening and about the time that people were getting off work so lots of people were out. We walked the streets and asked people if they would like a hug. I’m not one to go up to people and hug them so it was awkward, at first, but as the night went on it got easier. Some people looked at us funny and did not want to be hugged. Others were excited to get a hug.
Doing this created a way for us to begin conversations. People wanted to know why we were going around giving hugs. We are able to share with them that God loves them. We were even able to pray with one person, Evan. He had been feeling down and thinking about jumping off a bridge and received a hug at just the right moment. We talked with him and then prayed with him. He felt better after the prayer and said he was going to be okay. We ran into him later that night and he seemed much more joyful. We also saw him last night when serving dinner here at the Lighthouse. It was great seeing people’s faces light up when they received a hug! The hugs brought lots of smiles and laughter.
Usually when I walk around I am focused on myself and getting to where I am going. I may be focused on the things I need to do, things that happened or whatever thoughts that are running through my head. I may be watching people but am I really seeing them? My team has been praying that we would see as God sees and be able to respond to that. I don’t want this for our “ministry” each month but for my life. While we were walking around we were searching for people to give hugs to. We were aware of those around us and looking for people that might need/want a hug. It made me think that this is how it should be. We should be conscious of those around us and really SEE them whether its people we live and work with or just people we pass on the street.
I was reminded of this song and the chorus is one of my prayers:
Brandon Heath Lyrics – Give Me Your Eyes
Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black tile
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
Are those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?
Chorus
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
yeah .. yeah .. yeah .. yeah
Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide whats underneath
There’s a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
To ashamed to tell his wife
He’s out of work
He’s buying time
Are those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?
Chorus
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
yeah .. yeah .. yeah .. yeah
I’ve been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just moving past me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way you see the people all alone
Chorus
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
yeah .. yeah .. yeah .. yeah
