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“The Last Hug”

The following well-written article was written by Brother Arnold Kelley, preacher for the Laurel congregation in Laurel, Mississippi. You can find his article in the April-June edition of “The Magnolia Messenger” on page 9. In his article, Brother Kelley emphasizes our need to think about the fact that every day we live, might be our last day on earth. Thus, we need to realize the importance of each day that we live:

The wedding was about to begin. The groom was nervous. The bride was radiant. The guests were in their places. I was trying to calm the anxiety-stricken groomsmen.

Then the father of the bride caught my attention. Serene. Pensive. Almost tearful. “I wonder when the last time was that I picked her up and held her,” he said. “I mean the very last time, I don’t remember. I only know that if I would have realized that it was the last time to hold my little girl, I would have held her longer, tighter, and with more feelings.”

“The Last Time!” These words are serious words. The last football game for the quarterback. The last work day for the retiree. The last kiss for the widow. The last time.

What if you were to invest your energy into every day as if it were your last day? How would it be different from the routine? Think of the automatic change this would make in most of our relationships with parents, children, spouse, friends. Are there feelings in your heart that are destined to stay locked inside? The body in the coffin does not hear the words of the loved one standing beside it.

The writer of Hebrews understood this principle. “Today, if you hear his voice harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7-8). “Encourage one another, as long as it is called today” (Hebrews 3:13 NASB).

Today, there may be opportunities which may never come again. Doors may be opened today which tomorrow may be shut.

One day, there will be that “last hug” for all of us. There will be that last church service. There will be that last singing of that favorite hymn. There will be that last kiss and last goodbye. One day will come which will be the last of all things.

Let’s seriously think about the above thoughts.

—Arnold Kelley

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