Making Blessings Happen

A few weeks ago, I was preparing to go out to dinner with some friends. I had made dinner for my family, and then I went to kiss my son, Jonah, goodnight, letting him know I would not see him until the morning. As I approached, he paused the episode of Bluey he was watching to give me a big hug. He asked if I was going on a sleepover, and I laughed and said, No. I would just be back after he was in bed.
 
“Ok,” he said, “well, let me give you a blessing before you leave.”
“A blessing?” I questioned.
“Yes, give me your hands…Dear God, please help mommy have a fun time with her friends and help her be safe and…no, Livy!”
 
His words were suddenly cut short as he noticed that his baby sister had grabbed the remote off the table and was about to put it in her mouth. The tender moment ended abruptly in a bit of family chaos, but I was so stunned at Jonah’s spiritual intention in offering me a blessing. He did not call it a prayer, but a blessing.
 
We use that word frequently during bedtime, but I suspect he got the idea from our Godly Play Sunday school program. Each week, children receive an individual blessing from the storyteller before they leave. The traditional blessing is the Levite blessing:
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)
 
However, blessings can use different words, some more specific to a particular circumstance. One definition of blessing I found says, “A blessing is a state or an act of invoking divine favor, happiness, or benefits, often interpreted as divine protection or a gift from a higher power.” I like that phrase “invoking divine favor.” That we, as beloved children of God, have the privilege of ‘invoking’ something as it relates to God. There seems to be more umph in the idea of blessing someone rather than simply praying for them, although prayer is important.
 
However, that interaction with my son got me thinking… what if we blessed people more often? Not just say “God bless you” when they sneeze. Not just a blessing said over a meal. What if we took the time to look someone in the eye, hold their hand, and invoke God’s favor? Perhaps someone in your life needs a blessing like this. Someone you’ve been praying for, but who might need to hear your prayer in person, spoken over them with love and authority.
 
I encourage you to explore the practice of blessing. There are blessings throughout scripture and traditional blessings from different cultures. Together, we can be a community that speaks blessings over our world.
 
Blessings to you!
Rev. Kena Newkirk
Associate Pastor of
Discipleship and Connections