My eyes perused our front porch.
Scattered throughout sat men and their families. From all backgrounds and walks of life, these men symbolized the legacy and heritage of time well spent. Men of discipline, men of character, men who invested time in our son over the last eighteen years, prepared to share in a special time of blessing over him.
This gathering time provided a tangible opportunity for their life-giving words of affirmation to mark a significant, life-changing gateway to manhood, while casting a Godly vision for his future.
Brothers, cousins, uncles, grandparents, coaches, small group leaders, and family friends – all mentors in some way – shared in this time of celebration.
Throughout scripture, we witness the power of the verbal blessing upon God’s children. Not just confined to the Old Testament, Jesus’s ministry began and ended with blessings.
Proverbs 18 also reminds us that death and life are in the power of the tongue. It wields power.
A single comment, a single sentence, a single conversation can stay with us for a lifetime. Many of us can pinpoint a single exchange, whether for good or evil, that has stayed with us through the years.
Words. Powerful words. Used as either a blessing or a curse.
As our son prepared to step into his next season of life, our desire to plan an evening where words might be used to cast vision became an evening where men spoke life into our son. While exhorting and affirming the man he is becoming in Christ, they also challenged him to rise above the cultural norm and cling to the only one worth running towards. Sharing from their experience and life lessons learned along the way, they asked God’s special favor on his next season of life and also reminded him of the community of which he is a part. My prayer is that when our son’s world and life view is tested, when his faith is challenged, he clings to the truth of scripture, remembers the blessings prayed over him, the community available to him and stands strong in the midst of adversity.
I know firsthand the significance which a simple, verbal blessing creates in one’s life. Nearly every day as a child, I either woke or went to sleep with a verbal blessing from my father. This tangible reminder was not just a prayer of faith on my behalf, but also a constant affirmation of my worth in the eyes of the Lord.
My dad prioritized this time. He set apart time in the midst of his hectic day to bring his daughter before the throne and advocate on her behalf. I knew I was valued and loved by my father, and this in turn profoundly affected how I viewed my heavenly Father. What a rare, treasured gift I was given, one which I desired to pass onto our children.
I don’t take this significant opportunity lightly. Whether it’s planning an intentional evening of blessing to mark an important rite of passage, tucking them into bed or writing a note in their lunch, the power to wield words of blessing for the kingdom impacts generations. It’s a humbling privilege to know that in the midst of my mess and struggles as a mom, the Lord uses this simple offering.
Most nights, I lay my hand on my daughters’ heads and sing the simple blessing found in Numbers 6:24. Then the blessing becomes more personal as I turn to areas pertinent to their own lives.
I use simple words with a simple message. No theology degree needed. Just a heart to use the scripture to pour truth over our children, spouses, friends and loved ones.
Words matter. Words mark. Wield them well and begin a new generational legacy.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26)May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through His grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.”
(2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
What words have marked you? What words have been a blessing in your life?
Authored by Jen Schmidt, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, Host of the Becoming Conference
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Jen,
This post brought tears to my eyes…what a special legacy your family has passed down. On one hand I felt somewhat envious of your father blessing you before you went to bed each night and how it positively affected your view and relationship with your heavenly Father. Had my father been able to do that (he was a man of few words) it might have been a shorter journey to know the grace and compassion of my heavenly Father. On the other hand, I was encouraged to know that the words of blessing I have spoken over my children will not return void. Though the waters may be rough for my son right now, I need to keep speaking words of blessing over him. What a powerful and thought provoking post!!
Blessings to you,
Bev
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
ps. To answer your question…the prayers of my friends and readers have been a tremendous blessing in my life. Through two surgeries, their words have been a balm to my soul!
Jennifer Schmidt says
Bev – you are so right. Those words will not return void and even though your son is in a rocky place right now, he knows the truth and I am sure has no doubt of your love for him. Those blessings you now pray are not far from him I am sure.
George E. Mergulhao says
Thank Our Lord , that He has Blessed you , Prayers , George.
Nancy Sharp says
What a beautiful message. Thank you for sharing God’s word in the social media. Very refreshing considering all the other things we are constantly exposed to.
Jennifer Schmidt says
You are so welcome, Nancy. Thank you for your encouragement.
Rachel Q @ TrippingOverTypeset says
Love this post! My husband has written a blessing for each of our children lining up with scripture and the meanings of their names. He speaks it over them each night and even as teens now they still come to him before bed and receive their blessing. Even when they are spending the night at a friends house they call before it gets too late to receive their blessing.
As one who grew up not practicing this part of blessing, I still stand back in awe at the power of these words in our children’s lives. Our daughter graduated this year and I wrote a post about this very thing. http://trippingovertypeset.com/2014/06/11/a-dream-coming-true/
Thank you for sharing these words and a great reminder of the power of our words!
Jennifer Schmidt says
What a special legacy you are leaving. I can’t wait to read about your daughter’s graduation. 🙂
Mary Anne says
Thank you for sharing your story. It’s so rare to hear of adults who already have this Christian legacy, normally it’s parents just beginning it. I look forward to the day when this is my children’s story.
Jennifer Schmidt says
I am continually thankful that my parents began this new legacy for our family. They were first generation believers and I know the gift of their faithfulness. The wonderful thing is that everyone’s legacy begins today. We aren’t defined by the past and that is such a gift.
Jessica says
This is what I want for my kids; to be intentional with stuff like this. Thank you.
Jennifer Schmidt says
Jessica – it starts with that desire to be intentional. The Lord honors that and you will give your children a true gift as well.
Karen says
SO incredibly powerful. When each of our sons turned 15 we held a Rite of Passage ceremony to celebrate them stepping in to the journey of manhood. Each of them received both written and verbal words of affirmation from grandfathers and mentors. It marked them in profound ways!!
Beth WIlliams says
I never received a blessing from either of my parents. Like Bev I am envious of you and the legacy you are leaving your children.
Words of blessing are ones my husband speaks to me daily. He tells me he loves me and thanks me for everything I do. That means the world to me. Also little things like cards and e-mails that people send me. I treasure all of that!
Blessings ::)
Michele Bartlett says
When my kids were teens and my son drove himself and his sister to high school, before they left each day I said the Numbers 6 blessing over them. After Jimmy went off to college, somehow I dropped the practice …
Until one morning, I had a sense of foreboding and ran out to the garage where Liz was just getting into her car. “Liz! The Lord bless you and keep you!” I called out. “Thanks, Mom!” she called back. Ten minutes later I got the call that every parent dreads. Liz had been in a car accident — but had escaped without injury, although the car was totaled.
More than anything in my life, this incident assures me that God still speaks.
Sudipta Behera says
Jen
Thank you for reminding The power of Blessing through your preaching. It has touched me as I am a father of two daughters.
Blessings.
Leonor Garza says
Jenny I just want to share with you that when my two daughters attended school, college and work, every morning I imposed hands on them and declared that they would grow in wisdom and stature as The Lord and that they would find grace and favor before God and men.
The result was that both obtained excellent grades and both became youth leaders and now they are married to good Christian husbands.
Jackton says
Good piece of writing, i’m enjoying it . God bless you
Margaret says
I I am just reading The Healing Power of a Father’s Blessing by Linda Schubert and your testimony is so powerful you were so lucky to have a relationship with your father and many blessings. I had never heard of blessings before, we say God Bless You to people and at Mass the priest blesses us. I write in my grand children’s cards May God bless you and keep you in his special care always but until now reading this book and seeing your testimony I hadn’t realised the importance of it. My mum used to say count your blessings which I always try to do but find an actual blessing so powerful. I used to tell my children I loved them every day but wish I has said a blessing to them as well (they are 35 and 37) please pray for me Jenny as I have to have a scan to see if my cancer had returned. May God Bless you always.
Irene says
Dear Jen, thank you very much for this inspiring message. It struck a deep cord in my heart. My son turned 20 on June 27th and I wrote him a letter speaking the blessings of God into his life with the scriptures and using the word to encourage him in his walk. I trust God that as he reflects and meditate on the letter, the truth of God’s word will be engraved upon his heart. Reading your message today is a confirmation for me that my prayer is answered already. God bless you. I am sharing this with my family and friends.
Drue says
My Dad gave me and my sister words of blessing before he passed on. ‘Twas really a heart-warming moment which we treasured until this day.
meg says
God seems to be speaking to me about this recently. Thanks for being one more confirmation. May His blessings be upon all who love Him with an undying love (and those who will but aren’t quite there yet).
Anita Ip says
Dear Linda, thanks for sharing. I always see it a duty to pray for our chikdrn. To the extent that I bought a book titled “Prayinh for My Son” and this beautiful book went through character n emotions topics and supported by a scripture for each single prayer. Lovely and wonderful!
Katie says
Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration. I have a decorative plague with the verse from Numbers on it but haven’t really used it. I think I might find a place for it and use it as a reminder to pray over my children. Thanks!