This gift of blessing is rare today. Few receive it, few give it.
One reason my friend Deena could give this gift is she received it. . .in an unlikely place:
a home for runaway girls.
Abuse had punched holes in Deena’s childhood so she left as a young teen. The godly woman who ran the shelter embraced Deena. In the pages of the Bible and through this woman’s blessed acceptance, Deena learned the good news that God has a different-kind-of-crazy love for her, a sacrificial, selfless love that gives and doesn’t take and definitely doesn’t abuse.
“She spoke words of life into my soul,” Deena remembers. “I felt special, unique, loved. I’ll never forget what she did for me, what God did for me.”
Jesus received the blessing too.
As he was baptized by John the baptizer in the Jordan River, his heavenly Father spoke well of him. “And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’”
Question: Who will you bless today with words of affirmation?
Oh, Lucy! Great post! Words of affirmation, love, comfort, and encouragement are so necessary today. So many things are falling apart around each one of us. This is one thing I try to do for everyone. I love to encourage others. Thank you for this reminder. Blessings to you!
We each need words of blessing. Blessing back to you, sweet sweet Lynn.