By Donna McMorrow

“Esau said to his father, ‘Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me, me as well, my father.’ So Esau raised his voice and wept.” – Genesis 27:38

Reading the story in the Book of Genesis about how Jacob used deception to steal his brother Esau’s blessing from his father Isaac has always bothered me. I don’t really get what prevented Isaac from offering some kind of blessing to Esau also. But what I do understand is that children desperately crave their parents’ words of blessing.

Blessings are not just for the dinner table. We are to bless and encourage each other in the Lord. We can invoke God’s blessing on someone’s life! In the Book of Numbers, one of the chief roles of the Levites was invoking God’s blessing. God ordained these words for the priestly blessing:

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26

 As you go about your day, you can bless your children, your spouse, or the people you come in contact with at work, the grocery store, or in your neighborhood. Here are five ways that’ll help you do that:

1. Call them by their name.

Names are important and unique. Use a person’s name in conversation in a positive way. This shows recognition, respect and caring.

2. Remind them who they are.

Grandson. Daughter. Husband. You are a good mother. You are a fine young man. You are a great provider. I am grateful that you are my friend. You are good at math. You are God’s workmanship.

3. Share how you see God working in their life.

Elizabeth did this for Mary in Luke 1:42 when she said,  “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!” Tell them how you see God strengthening or leading them. Let them know that you see how the gifts God has given them are working in their life.

4. Be welcoming.

Hospitality makes room for others right where they are. Consider how you speak with people who approach you. Pause what you are doing to look them in the eye. Give them your full attention. Our attitude and feelings come through in how we communicate. We can be critical and impatient, or we can be respectful. Our attitude should convey, “You are important to me. I have time for you.”

5. Pray God’s promises over them.

God will never leave you or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)
He will complete the good works that He begins in us. (Philippians 1:6)
Nothing can separate us from His love. (Romans 8:38-39)
He has given us everything we need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)
You are wonderfully made by God. (Psalm 139:14)

When we use our words to bless others, we do so knowing that we have been blessed in the same ways because of our relationship with Jesus. We are welcomed just as we are—blameless, unafraid and unashamed—because we have been reconciled to God through Jesus.

Be a blessing today.

Donna McMorrow and her husband have been married for 41 years. She is a retired special education teacher, adoptive parent, cancer survivor and child of the King. In her free time, she enjoys reading, photography and painting.