Blessing Children

Blessing Children

by Anya Motley

In Biblical times, a parent’s blessing was important as it set the tone for the rest of the child’s life. If children did not receive their parents’ blessing, their lives were full of pain and grief.

Although the blessing may be different, receiving a blessing is as important to a child today as it was centuries ago. A blessing is much more than the approval of a decision. Blessing children involves making them aware they are special, loved, made with a purpose and have a future according to God’s plans.

Many children are not blessed by their parents. Some parents withhold love and encouragement, offering harsh and unkind judgments instead. Such parents frequently utter things like, "You are so stupid" or "You little brat!" Such un-blessing creates negative, self-fulfilling prophecies. Kids then believe they are stupid or bad and become what they are told they are.

Children's teachers can help fill this unmet need by practicing blessings in the classroom. Look for character qualities which you can praise such as gentleness, compassion, truthfulness, generosity, and self-control. Tell children how those positive traits will help them serve God.

Some traits that seem negative now may be very good in the future. For instance, if a child is stubborn, turn that trait into a blessing by saying, "You stand firm, like a strong mountain, for what is right." Word pictures will help children understand what you mean when you praise traits God can use.

Give children hope of a future with God’s purpose. You do not know what God has in store for a child. But you can be assured of several things: God made each child, He loves each child, and He can help each child serve Him in very important ways. As you hold a child, say things such as, "God made you very special," "God loves you," "God has wonderful plans for you," and "God will help you do great things!" The words of blessing you use will positively affect children for the rest of their lives.