Cuddlers
They are called “Cuddlers.”
Their job: “to hold closely and lovingly in ones arms or lap.”
Whom do they cuddle? The newborn babies, especially the premature babies, in hospital nurseries. They do for the babies what the nurses do not have time to do. They volunteer to come into the nurseries and simply hold or cuddle the babies.
Why? Because it has been medically documented that cuddling has tremendous therapeutic value.
Simply put, babies who are cuddled get stronger and better faster. Cuddling has even been cited as the reason some babies even make it at all.
Hearing about cuddlers, I CONSIDERED how the early New Testament church and the many “cuddlers” they had. I CONSIDERED the Philippian Christians and how they cuddled the Epaphroditus back to health. There was Barnabas, who cuddled the discouraged young man named Mark (a young man who because he got “cold feet” on a missionary project with Paul, was rejected by Paul but who went on to be one of the leaders of the early church). There was also Ananias, who cuddled the apostle Paul after Paul was blinded on the Damascus road. Also Peter, who cuddled Cornelius, the new believer; and, of course, Jesus, who cuddled all who came unto Him wanting to be lovingly held.
Finally, I CONSIDERED how the church of today needs cuddlers; people who understand the importance of cuddling. People who realize that there comes a time when everyone, no matter how self-sufficient and strong, will need to be cuddled. People who are willing to reach out in love and hold closely and lovingly someone in their arms.
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” (Ephesians 1:18-19 & 23)
If you want to become a “cuddler” at the hospital, you will have to take a number; the waiting list is quite long. Apparently the “cuddler” receives as many benefits as the “cuddlee.”
I close with the question, “Have you cuddled any one today?”
Wendell Mettey
6/18/1990
Revised 3/2013
