Blessing Our Children

Two parents; two scenarios. Two children affected by the words of those parents. To one child life is breathed into his spirit as his father claims, "Son, you have such talent in this. I know God will use it throughout your life." The other child dies a little as his father exclaims, "Son, can't you do this right? Any idiot could figure it out!" Two lives molded by the words of their fathers. One encouraged to blossom and become all God created him to be. The other stifled and trampled, left to question his worth.

We can do so much as parents to try to ensure the success of our children - dance classes, private schools, church attendance, tutors, summer camps, etc. However, whatever attempts we make will be nullified if our words are harsh and demeaning towards those children. Proverbs 18:21 warns us that "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." With our words we either pass on wisdom and value to our kids, or we pass down a feeling of worthlessness and anger. Many call positive words spoken to and over our children a 'blessing' and negative words spoken a 'curse'.

One of our deepest desires as human beings is to have others recognize and admit our worth. No one wants to feel that his life has no meaning or value. Yet some children, even some adults, accept the lie that they are useless because they have not had the privilege of experiencing someone blessing them with their words. Children in particular are very vulnerable to the lack of blessing over their young lives. So many are trapped with feelings of anger, resentment, and depression because they were not verbally blessed by their parents. Instead, they were ridiculed and demeaned.

Blessing children was so vitally important in the New Testament times that several parents brought their children before the Lord Jesus Christ and asked Him to bless them. Jesus knew the impact His touch and words would have on those kids. So, He stopped what He was doing, laid His hands on the children, and spoke blessings over them. The word 'blessed' used to describe this scene means 'to speak well of.' Jesus spoke well of the children who were brought to Him.

Our children long to hear us speak well of them. They yearn for it. If we were honest with ourselves, we would have to admit that one of our deepest longings is to know our own parents believe in us. Do not withhold blessings from you children. Bless them often. Do not make them work to receive your blessing. They have something you can praise them for. Today is the day to take hold of your child, look him/her in the eye, and bless them for who they are and what God is molding them to be. Your child will thank you for it.