As the years pass by, the "blessing" comes in the form of words spoken.
It's a God given desire placed inside us to receive a blessing from those we love and care deeply for --- Jesus modeled it for us in Gethsemane, the Israelites waited for it in the wilderness, Moses wouldn't move without it even when his toes could feel the Jordan waters, and the one apostle that lost it took his own life as a result. God places at the center of our being a hole, a need, we want to be blessed. Ultimately we want approval and blessing from God Himself. We might not understand it, we might fight against it. We might spend years and years trying to fill it with other things, but after all is said and done, we're empty and dry in the end --- until... Christ enters in.
God can give us a physical example of Himself through others. He knew we would sometimes need to feel a "Savior with skin on" --- and so He gave us His Son. And since the coming of Christ, we can see glimpses of our God in the eyes and hands of others. Every child should be able to see a glimpse of their Heavenly Father through the eyes and hands of their earthly father. Unfortunately - things are not always as they should be -- that was messed up in the Garden of Eden. But for those who can see moments of the Master in their earthly Father, it should be noted, acknowledged, and deeply appreciated.
(For those who have not seen their Heavenly Father in the eyes and hands of their earthly father - God can and will make Himself known to you -- you are His prized treasure, regardless of your father's choices.)
In old testament days, and still today in some cultures, it was customary and quite necessary for a father to pass on to his children, a blessing. The children would wait until the given time for their father to "bless them". It was a respectful allegiance unspoken but known - the father held a position of authority due to his positioning in the home and years on the earth. The blessing was sought after, treasured, and not questioned.
Our present day culture does not view the "blessing of the father" as it was viewed in years gone by. But to me --- it still carries great value, God's favor, and a place of strengthening for the journey ahead.
It's a semblance in the physical realm of our need in the spiritual realm.
We want, seek, and need blessing from our Father.
We are touched when our father blesses us in the work of our Father.
Last week Steve and I went to talk with my parents about the next sequel in the book of our lives.
We went to share it with them, to answer their questions, to be sure they understood --- and ultimately we went to ask for their "blessing".
We knew we would do what God was guiding us to do --- in Jesus' Name. But the desire to have their heart supporting our call was utmost on our minds.
Isn't this a picture of our heart's desire to have God's blessing in our lives? To be in line with what HE has for us -- to share everything of our hearts with Him, to have questions answered, to understand and be understood, and to ultimately feel God's favor and blessing on us. I believe it is.
My father and mother gave their sweet blessing. It was a sacrificial giving on their part --- it was not something they would have chosen, not what they would have picked, not what will be most comfortable for them in the days ahead. But sacrificially and lovingly, they gave it.
They understand --- that the blessing of God can and will rest on them, as they give their blessing to God's call on their children.
They model for us in the physical what we look to in the spiritual.
What is the calling? What did they bless? ---- next week's blog will tell of it.
But first --- more importantly --- is the sharing of my grateful heart -- to be called --- and to be blessed.
If God gives you the opportunity to "bless" those in your life --- to encourage and strengthen them in the Ancient paths ---- don't miss the chance to be that physical representation of the spiritual picture our Lord wants us to have eyes to see. It's a beautiful, life-giving, warrior strengthening gift.
It's a gift much needed when standing on the "front line".
Genesis 12:2 - “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; ... you will be a blessing.
Genesis 49:28 - "All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him."
Deuteronomy 28:8 - "The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you."
Deuteronomy 33:1 - "This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced on the Israelites before his death."
Psalm 21:3 - "You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head."
Galations 3:14 - "He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit."
Photo taken at Hilton Head Island, SC, Christmas trip 2010 - my dad, mom, me, and Pete.
©2011 Donna Taylor/Reaching for the Robe
Beautifully written. I will never forget those that have given their blessing to me in small ways, that others would never notice, often when I needed it the most. And I must say you know how to keep up the suspense!
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