I will Bless You
Sometimes, Christians get a little confused about God’s blessing. We can pretty quickly start to buy into what’s called the “prosperity gospel,” that if we have faith in God, God will bless us with material wealth, health, and happiness. That’s not actually biblical. We can look to the story of Abraham as an example of how God blesses. God calls Abraham and blesses him so his family can be a blessing to others. God calls us, God blesses us to be a blessing. To be blessed is to be so full of God’s love that we are empowered to share that blessing of love with others.
Read It
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Gensis 12:1-3
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” |
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Do It
How can your family be a blessing? How has God blessed you, and how can you extend that blessing to others? Here are some ideas to start your imagination:
Children 0-2: You have the gift of new, young life. For many elderly people, seeing a child is a blessing. Find someone in your community who is lonely and go as a family to visit them. Bring along something simple to share, like cookies or fruit, ask them to share their stories, let them hold your baby or read to your toddler if they wish, and leave before your child gets restless enough to start climbing the furniture.
Children 3-5: You have the gift of wonder, something we find hard to reclaim at certain parts of our lives. Particularly for people in their early 20’s or 40’s and 50’s, your family has a gift to offer. Invite someone to come with you on a nature walk. Notice with your child God at work in the changing of the season (similar to your Pentecost Detectives of Divinity walk). Your guest will see God’s creation with new eyes.
Children 6-12: You have the gift of eagerness to help others. You are capable of doing a lot of things, and not yet feeling the need to rebel and refuse to do them (well, at least when it’s not your parents). There are many ways you can bless others. You can read with someone who is lonely, make a meal for someone who is ill or overwhelmed, put together relief kits, help clean someone’s house, rake someone’s leaves, play games with someone who can’t leave their home. Find a need and go serve as a family.
Children 0-2: You have the gift of new, young life. For many elderly people, seeing a child is a blessing. Find someone in your community who is lonely and go as a family to visit them. Bring along something simple to share, like cookies or fruit, ask them to share their stories, let them hold your baby or read to your toddler if they wish, and leave before your child gets restless enough to start climbing the furniture.
Children 3-5: You have the gift of wonder, something we find hard to reclaim at certain parts of our lives. Particularly for people in their early 20’s or 40’s and 50’s, your family has a gift to offer. Invite someone to come with you on a nature walk. Notice with your child God at work in the changing of the season (similar to your Pentecost Detectives of Divinity walk). Your guest will see God’s creation with new eyes.
Children 6-12: You have the gift of eagerness to help others. You are capable of doing a lot of things, and not yet feeling the need to rebel and refuse to do them (well, at least when it’s not your parents). There are many ways you can bless others. You can read with someone who is lonely, make a meal for someone who is ill or overwhelmed, put together relief kits, help clean someone’s house, rake someone’s leaves, play games with someone who can’t leave their home. Find a need and go serve as a family.
Pray It
God, you have blessed us with so many gifts. Help us remember that you call us to be a blessing to others. Show us ways we can do that. In your name, Amen.
Sing It
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This year’s faith practices go with songs from the CD “New World Coming,” by Bryan Moyer Suderman. They work well on their own, but if you want a bonus for your family’s experience, buy a CD to listen to for the year.
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