How to Bless Your Children

“Now that I'm married, and children will be on the way in four or five years, I know that my wife and I will pass on that blessing of ​ the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.​ ” Tim, age 23 The following two extended examples express how deeply the blessing practice can impact our children: “I can't honestly say that I remember when you first pronounced the blessing on me. But I do remember the times when it has meant the most. One time in particular comes to mind. Being the oldest child in our family, I'm usually the first one to experience life’s little traumas. Perhaps the most eye-opening of my experiences happened two and a half years ago, when I moved away from home to go to college. I'll have to admit, Mom and Dad, that I was pretty excited that day (okay, very excited). But as the day wore on and the time for you to leave came closer and closer, reality began to sink in. It hit me that I wasn't going back home with you this time. My sadness only intensified as the hours went by until the good-byes were being said. It was during this vulnerable time, Dad, that you took my hands in yours, bowed your head, and pronounced the most reverent and awe-inspiring blessing that I have ever heard. The tears were flowing fast. I still remember the calm that came over me when you finished blessing me. I suddenly had a peace about the future. I felt the courage to face the days to come, knowing that God would, in some way, provide all the answers to my unasked questions. And 13