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The Power of Blessing

November 6, 2011 By 3 Comments

A couple of weeks ago, after reflecting on a few difficult days, I was saddened by all of the negativity in our home.   Unfortunately, despite the improvements my daughter (with sensory processing disorder) has made, we still have really bad days – even really, really bad days!

I confess I often lose my patience quicker than I should and yell far more than I want to admit.  Despite my best attempts to rephrase and put corrections of my daughter’s behavior in the positive, she still hears a lot of “no,” “please don’t do that” or “please stop [insert any myriad of undesirable or harmful behaviors].” This is not the kind of environment I want for our family.

So I prayerfully decided to start speaking scriptural blessings to my family.

I memorized Numbers 6, referred to as Aaron’s benediction, commonly used by clergy today where benedictions are still given.

Two weeks ago, I told my daughter I wanted to bless her by reciting some verses from the Bible to her.  I asked her to simply look me in the eyes as I spoke the Word of God to her.  I didn’t know what to expect, but she calmed down(!) and smiled as I spoke.  Then beaming she asked me to do it again!  So I did!  My 21-month-old son asked me to do it to him and had the same positive reaction.

We talked about how I am asking God’s blessing on them, for God’s grace and peace in their lives.  As much as a 4 ½ year old understands this, she continues to request “the blessing” pretty regularly at various times throughout the day.  She especially enjoys when I bless her before we drive to school.

This is one small way that I am trying to change the environment in our home for our family and all who visit with us (when appropriate).  I should also share that my daughter has almost completely memorized Numbers 6:24-26 and has started speaking it over me now. :)

So now I say to you, dear one, reading this blog:

The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, 
And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’ Numbers 6:24-26 (NASB)

Receive this blessing and with boldness go bless someone you love!

~Lynn

 

Filed Under: Encouragement, Family, General, growth, Home, Hope, Parenting, Sensory Processing Disorder Tagged With: ,

HOME – It feels so good

August 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I so appreciate recent opportunities I’ve had to get away from home. I can still remember when I brought Owen home from the hospital. I had two children by then and no longer worked outside of the home. That first winter after Owen was born I remember lamenting to my husband, “It’s been three days since I’ve left this house!”

My firstborn is more of the reserved type, and loves being home. It keeps him grounded. I’ve realized I am the same way. By the time I was staying home with our third child, I was giddily thinking to myself this past winter, “How wonderful, I haven’t left this house in four days!” Oh how perspective changes.

The same holds true when I am able to take time away and leave home. I’ve recently been gone from home for three separate trips: one with spouse, one with my scrapbooking friends, and one with our kids and extended family. Each trip was wonderful and a blessing. But each trip with a very short span of time in between to be at home, left me longing to just get back home. HOME – it just feels so good. So often it holds true that to truly appreciate something, we need to experience going without it. I can only begin to imagine the splendor heaven will be. Our one, true, forever home – as good as being here in my earthly home feels – wow.

Kara

I would not have enjoyed this sunset view, nor had the time to reflect on it, if I hadn't left home. There are blessings in being gone from home, and those that come only from being home.

 

Filed Under: Encouragement, Gratitude, Home Tagged With: , ,