January 25, 2010 9:02 PM
A family blessing for your children each morning
As a mom, I know the feeling of being overwhelmed by all the things I want to do better. Sometimes looking at the big picture can be paralyzing - you just don't know where to start. My advice is to just try making small changes here and there.
When it comes to your child's development and family life, small changes can have a huge impact. And they have a tendency to lead to other changes.
Which leads me to share with you this very small addition you might want to consider making in your day. Some of you may already do this - if so, please speak up and tell us if you've found it beneficial.
Around 20 years ago I began giving my children a blessing each morning, taking their face in my hands and looking into their eyes. Now that they're older and scattered, I do it when I hug them goodbye:
Calligraphy by Michael Noyes.
This is a Judeo-Christian blessing from the Bible - Numbers 6:24-26. I got the idea from Gary Smalley's The Blessing, which is available in a new edition, or the original edition
I really want to encourage you to consider making blessing your children a tradition in your family too. Things like these help when your children are older to reconnect on that fundamental level. Not to mention the spiritual benefit of a daily blessing.
And please know that in my heart I am praying the same blessing for you.
Posted in Inspiration, Mothering, Preschoolers, Spiritual education, Teens and Tweens | Permalink
Comments
I love this passage -- thanks for bringing it to my attention again. I think I will begin saying this to my young children; they know the Lord's prayer, and the Catholic "Glory be to God" prayer, and I'd like to add this one.
Posted by: Nancy | January 25, 2010 10:20 PM
I love this also. I just ordered the book from Paperback Swap. Thanks for the note about it!
Posted by: Melissa | January 26, 2010 12:44 AM
Michael Card put this passage to music on his album "Sleep Sound in Jesus", a collection of lullabys. My mother sang it to my sisters, and now I sing it to my little boy. It's wonderful.
Posted by: Erin | January 26, 2010 8:14 AM
Being 26 years old, I never quite understood this when I was younger but the adults in my family always did this and my thoughts were "they always worry to much!" Now, I realize how special all those moments were and bummed that I didnt enjoy them enough as I should. My parents never did this but all my aunts, uncles, and my grandparents on my dad's side always did when saying goodbye. Its a good foundation of faith and the knowing that you're loved!
Posted by: Megan | January 26, 2010 1:20 PM
I love this blessing. When I was little, our pastor closed every sermon with it, and I now have it hanging by our front door. On the day I first read this entry I also heard one of the morning DJ's mention it on my favorite Christian radio station. I guess I'm being nudged to give my small children the same blessings when I send them off. Thank you for the post!
Posted by: Sara | January 30, 2010 7:56 PM
love this blessing... has always been my favourite... had my brother sing it at our wedding as we did the registry signing...
Posted by: edith | February 26, 2011 7:57 PM
