“Be a blessing to your child and trust the Lord for your child to become a blessing.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 22, 2023
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb: they drip sweet food for life and bring health to the body. Proverbs 16:24, VOICE
My good friend recently took his 14-year-old daughter to a week-long daddy/daughter camp. And as part of the experience, friends wrote letters to bless the dad for how he was blessing his little girl. Here is the note I wrote to Shane as he spent the week loving on his precious Gianna:
Dear Shane,
I could not be prouder of you for your investment in Gianna at JH Ranch. Your hearts and minds will overflow in rich and wonderful conversations, and these will be memories and experiences you guys will enjoy for the rest of your lives. God is using you in her life to be a loving example of the type of man she will meet one day and marry. You inspire me and many others in how you point her to Jesus as her Lord, Savior, and friend and how she looks to you as her hero of what a godly man looks like and lives out. May you continue to be an echo of our Father’s voice in her life as you value and love Gianna for whom He made her to be and become…. affirming her as the beautiful, beloved daughter of the King (Psalm 45:11), in whom He is well pleased. What a joy to watch how your relationship with your sweet, precious daughter is growing into a friendship and how you are able to coach, counsel, and encourage her. Enjoying the journey with you…as together we continue to grow and learn how to love our children best.
Love and prayers,
Boyd
Shane’s investment in his teenager so blessed me that I was compelled to bless him, if only with a brief note. And then, when they were back home, to hear the stories of love and tears mingled together that drew them closer together. Wow, what a joy to see how this dad loved and blessed his daughter and how this daughter loved and blessed her dad. Indeed, Satan frowns and stands down when Jesus’ followers stand up and boldly bless one another with our engaging presence and life-giving words. Sadly, many dads miss sharing how they truly feel with those they have the most feelings for. Most men are intimidated by their own thoughts and feelings. They really don’t experience healthy feelings, as their feelings have unhealthy control over them. So, invest in your emotional fitness. Like salvation in Jesus, it’s a life-giving gift that blesses your child.
How do you invest in your emotional fitness so you are able to invest in your child emotionally? Start by asking your heavenly Father how He feels about your children, “I love them; I am proud of them, I desire the very best for them. I will walk with them through life to lead them in wise choices. If they stray, I will accept them back with my mercy, grace, comfort, and forgiveness.” Your heavenly Father’s feelings for your children are a good starting point to grow your loving feelings for them. Even when you don’t feel emotionally engaging, speak life-giving words anyway, and your healthy emotions will eventually catch up with your right actions. Consider writing a note to your child, put on paper what the Lord has put in your heart. Ask the Spirit to give you the courage to read out loud to your child what you have written. Dads, your words may be the weightiest, with the power to crush or comfort, build up, or tear down. Be a blessing and trust the Lord for your child to become a blessing. Your heavenly Father blesses you, so you can bless as an earthly father. Like Shane, spending one on one time says, you matter most…to me.
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him” (Psalm 103:13).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I praise you for my precious children, give me the words to bless them in a manner that pleases you through Christ’s love, and in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application
Consider attending camp or a mission trip with your child.
Related Reading
Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 1:31; Luke 15:20-24; Ephesians 6:4
Worship Resource
Elevation Worship (Jedidaiah Horca): The Blessing (Acoustic)
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