Choosing to Receive the Blessing

“This day I call the heavens and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19

“Everyone needs the blessing to feel truly loved and secure about themselves.” John Trent, Ph.D. author of The Blessing

 

  • We believe God has big things in store for today’s devotional as we take a look at the Blessing of being unconditionally loved by our Father God.
  • Read Genesis 25 and 27.
  • Write Deuteronomy 30:19 in your journals.

Choosing to Receive the Blessing

“The healthiest homes are not the ones without problems, but the ones that love each other in the midst of those problems” – Danny Silk, Loving on Purpose

Simply put, the Blessing is a biblically-based method for families to communicate unconditional love and acceptance. Brynne and I (Kari) grew up as close friends living in homes with the Blessing. My family (literally) wrote the book on the subject, and Brynne’s family may as well have because of their commitment to raising kids who love Jesus.

Our parents raised us with a clear message: we were loved, unique, beautiful, chosen, and full of potential. There was just one problem…We didn’t believe it. As strong-minded firstborns, we both chose to forge our own paths in life despite our parents’ best efforts.

For me, Kari, the choice to live life outside of Christ led to disaster. I was 24 when God physically rescued me from an extremely abusive relationship, and I surrendered my life to Him. By that account, it may seem that my childhood Blessing was ineffective. However, it was the very thing that led me home. I went to my Dad and confessed my full rebellion. As I confessed, my Dad gently stopped me and spoke a blessing that completely changed my life: “It’s not about where you’ve been, it’s about where you’re going.” With that Blessing, I had all the courage I needed to choose
life and pursue restoration.

Like Kari, I (Brynne) spent much of my adolescence battling perfectionism while simultaneously choosing to live outside the safety of God’s will. At my lowest point, I had a similar conversation with my dad in which he sat me down, prayed Philippians 4:6 over me, and said, “I promise there is still hope, freedom is waiting for you!” His belief in me in my darkest moment provided the strength I needed to choose repentance. He was right, of course, and my life transformed through surrendering to the healing power of Jesus’ love.

What we’d love to communicate through our stories is that we can trust God with our kids. Scripture shows us that God is not surprised, disappointed, or afraid of failure; and there is nothing God cannot restore. And His Spirit is within us, which means our lives hold the potential to display the Father’s goodness regardless of our own pasts.

Even if we do everything right, we can’t control our children’s responses to God. Like us, they have a choice. But by blessing our kids, we are also releasing them into the will of their heavenly Father. So we must bless and encourage ourselves with the grace to trust Him with their lives. By resolving to parent without fear, we are creating a safe environment for our kids to thrive!

Our verse today says to choose life. We choose life by raising children with the message that they are valuable to God and to us. From our family experiences, a parent who chooses the Blessing makes all the difference!

Blessings and Love,

Kari and Brynne

Questions to Ponder

  • Ask yourself these questions, and journal your response:
    1. Did I experience the Blessing growing up?
    2.Who Blessed me, and what did they do to make me feel so valuable?
    3. Am I experiencing the unconditional love and Blessing of God as my Father?
    4. Are the people in my life experiencing my unconditional love and Blessing?
  • If you did not receive the Blessing growing up, it might be hard to bestow it. Commit to spending a season allowing the Lord to heal you in these places. Call your prayer partner and ask for support as you walk through the pain of the past. Take action for yourself and your children. Freedom is waiting for you!

Faith-Filled Ideas

Try the Blessing with your kids! As you can see from the chart below, you don’t have to wait for big moments to give your child your Blessing. Do it daily. Make the choice to bless them, and help them choose their special God-given future.

For more information about the blessing, please refer to the book “The Blessing” by John Trent, PhD and Gary Smalley. Or visit StrongFamilies.com.

 

Brynne and Kari: Besties!

 

 

Dad (John Trent) and his precious Kari!

Brynne Gluch and Kari Trent
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