The Blessing

"This is the blessing that Moses, the man of God, gave to the people of Israel before his death." Deuteronomy 33:1

Only a week ago I watched a webinar with Dr. John Trent, who co-authored the book, "The Blessing" with family counsellor Gary Smalley. Using scripture, it outlines five main aspects of a spoken blessing, giving practical encouragements on how to both bless others and be a blessing in the lives of those around us.

Before he dies, Moses takes the time to bless the tribes of Israel. Although in the past he has been instructed to speak words of reprimand and correction, now this leader of the Israelites gives one final prophetic declaration over the people God gave him to lead. Addressing each of the twelve tribes individually, the greatest prophet in Hebrew Scripture speaks words of encouragement that greatly impacted future generations.

Have you ever had a blessing spoken over you? Over 35 years ago, my husband and I stood with heads bowed, holding hands. A hush fell over the room as a very dear friend, Reverend Dr. "Bill" Newell, raised his hand to proclaim God's blessing over us as we were about to head off on our honeymoon following a glorious day of wedding celebration. He prayed so beautifully, concluding with the Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6:24-26: "The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace." Amen.

The room remained silent. With tears in my eyes, I recall hugging our families goodbye before setting off together as husband and wife. A sacred moment wrapped in God's blessing.

Years later, following the reading of Trent and Smalley's offering, and using it as my guide, I wrote a blessing that I began praying over my son on his first day of Kindergarten. After bedtime prayers, his dad or I, Grandma or Grandpa, or sometimes a babysitter, would recite or read "Christopher's blessing" before saying goodnight for the day. He wouldn't go to sleep without his blessing. It read as follows:

"O Lord Jesus, You love the innocence of childhood and lovingly embraced and blessed the little children who were brought to You. Anticipate Christopher's needs with Your tender blessings and grant that no evil will corrupt his mind, but that advancing in age, in wisdom and in grace, Christopher would live so as to please You always. Watch over Your child Lord, and as his days increase bless and guide him wherever he may be, keeping him unspotted from the world. Strengthen him when he stands. Comfort him when discouraged or sorrowful. Raise him up if he should fall and in his heart, may Your peace, which passes understanding abide all the days of his life. Lord, be a shield of protection about him. We love you Christopher. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace. Amen."

That little boy is now a daddy of two precious children of his own, and he has indeed seen the goodness of the Lord over his life. He and his wife, being musical, wrote "Tonight", a lullaby of blessing, before their first child was born, which, to my knowledge, they still sing over the lives of their little ones at bedtime. Every time I hear it, the tender lyrics move me to tears as they ask for God's presence and protection over the precious children the Lord has entrusted in their care.

Spoken blessings matter. Maybe it doesn't have to be done in such a formal way, but our Spirit-led words can lift a heart and direct thoughts back to the keeping hand of God over our lives and the lives of others. Praying for the Lord's blessing to be upon all who read this today. May you know that "The eternal God is your refuge, and His everlasting arms are under you." Deuteronomy 33:27a