Mark 10:14 – But when Jesus saw [it], He was indignant and pained and said to them, Allow the children to come to Me — do not forbid or prevent or hinder them — for to such belongs the kingdom of God. (AMP)

A career change for my husband took us to another city where we quickly found a church of our choice. Here, my husband found a great admirer, a very elderly man with the mind of a little child. His vocabulary was extremely limited, but my husband had a unique ability to cross any difficulty in the area of communication, so he would simply hug him. The man-child was a large man, but then so was my husband, and I don't think that this man-child had ever experienced a hug.

One day, the man-child came into my office building and saw me through the open office door. Since my husband and I always attended church together, the man-child probably just assumed that he would be in the same office with me. Using his unique sign language, he asked me where my husband was. He began by placing his arms in a circle in front of him, clasped his hands together, and then quickly put his hands above his head. I shook my head and said, "I am sorry. My husband is not in the building." He quickly left with his frail mother following him. I am ashamed to relate that I often laughingly teased my husband by acting out this accurate description of his physical appearance.

1 Samuel 16:7b – The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (NIV)

Those hugs were little gifts given to one of the brethren who was unique and special. As the writer of the letter to the Hebrews commanded: "Let brotherly love continue." (Hebrews 13:1 NKJV) Let it continue — no beginning, no end, no preference, no exception — simply ongoing love.

Prayer: Our gracious heavenly Father, we thank You for the unique opportunities which You give to us to express our love to the brethren. We would remember afresh the great gift You gave to all people, making each one in Your image. Help us to look past the visible and look up for Your instructions in our giving. We bring this request before You with confidence in the name of Your Son and our Saviour, Christ Jesus. Amen.

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