THE CRY OF EVERY PERSON

When Esau heard his father’s words, he let out a loud and bitter cry. “Oh my father, what about me? Bless me, too!” he begged. (‭Genesis‬ ‭27‬:‭34‬ NLT)

The Bible teaches about a set of twin brothers - Esau, the older and Jacob, the younger.  One day Esau comes home so hungry that he sells his birthright to his brother Jacob.  (It was customary for the oldest to get the lions share of the inheritance).  Later on in life, as the father of the two boys was about to die - he prepared himself to formally give his blessings to the two sons.  And through trickery, Jacob deceives his father and receives the abundant blessing from his father.  His brother, Esau, finds out that he gets the lesser blessing cries out saying, "Oh my father, what about me? Bless me, too! he begged."

This is what every man, woman, boy and girl is seeking in their life - the blessing of the father.

Gary Smalley and John Trent have written a book called THE BLESSING.

It's premise is that children of every age long for the gift of “the blessing” — the unconditional love and approval that come from a healthy relationship with their parents. This life-changing gift is essential for instilling a deep sense of self-worth and unshakable emotional well-being in our children.

The book is broken up into 3 sections - 1- Why the blessing is so importanat, 2- Understanding the blessing and 3- When the blessing doesn't happen.

I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK.

The book contains five essential elements necessary for children to feel "blessed:"

1- Meaningful touch to each of our children (the hand is used for blessing and the rod is used for discipline

2- A spoken message to them

3- Attaching high value to our children

4- Picturing a special future for them

5- And an active commitment to them

When we don't bring the blessing to our  children - they start looking for it in all the wrong places - work-a-holics, multiple sexual sexual relationships, doing things to get our attention, etc.

Many of the counseling situations that I find myself in stem right back to this dilemma - People want have the blessing of their parents -  be loved and know that they are loved.

Perhaps you didn't receive love and blessing as a child or perhaps you haven't been able to give it out to your children or grandchildren. You can turn this around.  As one who didn't receive this type of love - you must come to your "Heavenly Father" who will extend his hand of blessing to your life.  In turn, you can then give away that blessing to those entrusted to your care.

It is interesting, that in Jewish culture, children would come to their "Abba" (earthly father) every day and receive a daily blessing before going to school or out for the day.  We have missed that in our society.  I contend that we can change culture by coming under the blessing umbrella of God and that we can in turn bring it to our kids and grandkids to make them to be healthy emotionally and spiritually in today's world.

Go bless someone today!