Bless Your
Children
January 20, 2003
It's impossible to adequately communicate the need
your children have for your affirmation. All you must do to
understand their need is reflect for a moment on the value you
place on your father's words of approval. Even grown men want a
pat on the back from their dad.
Nobody provides us with a better example of how to
give our kids such affirmation than Jesus. Mobbed by spectators
and guarded by his disciples, Jesus took the time to welcome and
bless a group of children. The Greek word for "bless" meant "to
speak well of" or "to praise someone." In Old Testament times a
blessing transferred a good thing from one person to another.
When Isaac, under God's direction, blessed Jacob, he imparted
the promise of bountiful crops, many servants, and leadership in
the family (Genesis 27:27-29).
While we don't have the ability to give a blessing
of such benefits, our blessings and words of affirmation can
pass on valuable gifts to our children. Gifts like a sense of
security and destiny.
Mark noted that Jesus "took the children in his
arms and blessed them (Mark 10:16). Note that Jesus didn't bend
over and lecture the kids. He didn't sit on a stool and coolly
instruct them. He gathered them in his arms. He hugged them. He
laid his hands on their shoulders and heads. He made them feel
loved. Nothing communicates acceptance more than a hand on the
shoulder, a pat on the back, or an embrace. Research
consistently reinforces the fact that physical touch is crucial
for both emotional and physical health.
Jesus also spoke a blessing to the children. He
said something about them and their future that infused them
with security and confidence. As fathers it's easy to correct
our children. And it's necessary. But we need to be sure that
for every word of correction we give a paragraph of affirmation.
And we need to adapt our words of affirmation to the unique
traits of each child.
Take some time each day this week and tell your
children how much you love them. Give them a hug and a kiss on
the cheek. Make a point of giving them five words of affirmation
for every word of correction. More than a nice home, lots of
toys, cars, and vacations, your kids need your blessing.
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