Dear Fellow Parents,
Have you ever had a moment when a particular verse from the Bible just seemed to jump off the page and touch your heart in a profound way? That's exactly what happened to me one day as I was reading the book of Numbers, chapter 6, verses 22-23:
"And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 'Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel.'"
In that moment, it hit me like a bolt of lightning: God wants us to bless our children! It was a revelation from the Holy Spirit, and it changed the way I parented forever.
You see, all throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, we see God blessing His creation. He blessed Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:28), He blessed Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3), He blessed Noah (Genesis 9:1) and his sons when they came out of the ark. Jesus blessed the children (Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:16), He also blessed His disciples (Luke 24:50-51). The message is clear: God is all about blessing His children. And if God is about blessing His children, then I should be too.
That's when I began to incorporate the practice of blessing my children with the Word of God into our daily routine. It's a simple yet profound practice that has had a lasting impact on their lives.
What Is a Blessing?
Before I dive into the how and why of blessing our children, let's first understand what a blessing is. According to the website gotquestion.org
"A blessing is a statement of good will and happiness that is said about another, as well as the condition that fulfills those good words. God’s original design in creation was for His creatures, including mankind, to experience prosperity, peace, and fulfillment, but that design was ruined when sin entered the world. Statements of blessing are a wish for God to restore His favor on others or a declaration of His inherent goodness."
Therefore, when we bless our children, we are aligning our words with the plan of God for their lives. It's a way of prophesying over their future, speaking into existence a brighter and more blessed path.
The Power of Consistency
One of the key lessons I've learned in this journey is the importance of consistency. Life can be chaotic, especially if you have multiple children and a busy household. It's easy to forget to bless them in the midst of the daily hustle and bustle. That's why I recommend setting a specific time of day for this practice and using alarms as reminders. Don't ever skip it, even if you're away from home.
Tailoring Blessings to Each Child
While the first part of the blessing is a general one, taken from Numbers 6:24-26, the second part is where you can get creative. I often choose one or two verses from the Bible that resonate with me that day or that I feel are particularly relevant to my children. But the real magic happens in the third part, where I personalize the blessing for each child.
For example, if one of my children is struggling with shyness, I might add 2 Timothy 1:7: "God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. You shall be bold and fearless in the Lord."
A Transformative Impact
The impact of blessing our children is not only seen in the present but also in their future. I believe that they will trust God more as they grow, be less likely to fall out of faith, and have a much greater chance of becoming mature and successful adults. They will also carry forward this practice and bless their own children someday.
I want to share a personal story to illustrate this point. My nephew was struggling at school, exhibiting disruptive behavior and sometimes showing disrespect to his teachers. Despite his mother's prayers, his behavior didn't improve. That's when I suggested she start blessing him every morning. She began to speak into his life, and soon enough, he started behaving better and even started reading the Bible on his own.
A Gift of Love
To my children, this practice means something special. They feel cared for, loved, and uniquely blessed. It's a moment of connection and spiritual bonding between us. Even the younger ones find it enjoyable, while the older ones see it as an integral part of our prayer time.
In conclusion, I want to leave you with this: Blessing your children is a powerful tool that God has given us. He blesses His creation, He blesses His children, and He even blessed the Sabbath day (Genesis 2:3). We should follow in His footsteps and do the same.
To help you get started, I've created a 30-day blessing guide. It's not difficult, but it does require consistency. Trust me, it's one of the best things you can do for your children.
May you embark on this journey of blessing your children with the Word of God, and may your family experience the transformative power of spoken words aligned with God's plan.
With love and blessings,
Jully Provenzano
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