Building One Another  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

Blessing Children (and adults)!

Dear Friend,

While considering words that bless and encourage children (and adults), we keep in mind that such blessing goes beyond words to the actions that enhance their well-being.

We see pronouncing blessings modeled by God in words to Isaac, “I will be with you, and will bless you.” Isaac in turn passes the blessing to his sons,” By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.” Hebrews 11:20

We see many other instances in scripture of people offering verbal blessings to others.

Ask yourself, when you are with a child, do you look that child in the eye, and warmly bless them with words – words such as:

       I love you more than I love my own next breath.

       You are remarkable.

       I am so proud of you.

       You are amazing.

       I love being with you.

       Your ideas are a wow to me.

       May you always know who you and who God is.

       May the Lord bless you and keep you.

      God loves you.

        I love you!

Use words of encouragement that communicate love, value and strength and remind them of God's love. At times the words that will ultimately bless may need to be hard words, corrective or shaping words, Work to offer words that refresh the soul and affirm the presence of the Lord who loves.

As God said to Jesus, “This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased,” so we in turn say to the people in our lives, “You are loved and I so appreciate you!”

Joy to you – Stan

© Copyright 2022 E. Stanley Ott

Scripture from the ESV

1. Consider the children, as well as the adults, in your life - whether the children are in your family or of other families.
2. Do you look them in the eye - or speaking by phone - offer direct words of blessing - of affirmation and encouragement?
3. Do you affirm your love and also tell them that God loves them?
4. When using the Blessing Cup to bless children (see Podcast Episode 124), here is a prayer you may pray over a child:Lord, may this one know who he/she is and Whose he/she is,

May he/she know that wherever he/she goes You are sending him/her, that you have a purpose in his/her being there ,May he/she remain true to the Lord with steadfast purpose. And now bless this one and keep him/her; Make Your face to shine upon him/her and be gracious to him/her. The Lord turn his face toward him/her and give him/her peace.

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Photo by Sebastián León Prado on Unsplash‍