Blessings are on my mind today. Actually, blessings are on my mind most days but there are different kinds of blessings aren't there? There are the material or tangible blessings and then there are the blessings that we bestow with our words and deeds. When I worked at a Christian school with a student body of approximately 40 students, we would have weekly chapel services and I would always begin with an invocation and end with a benediction. I explained that the benediction was the final good word. I wanted them to know that there was always a good word spoken for and over them and in their hearing. I can remember the importance of blessings in my early religious training in the Black Baptist Church. We never dismissed from Sunday School or choir rehearsal without some words of blessing or benediction being spoken. The words did not have to be uttered by one with a degree from seminary. All one needed was the knowledge of these words, "May the Lord watch between me and thee while we're absent one from another. Amen." It was that simple. Upon saying or hearing those words, we all knew that a blessing had been offered. We had been commended into the care of the Almighty with a promise of coming together again.
I am of the opinion that words have power. We can use our words to cause harm and pain or we can use our words to bring peace and healing. We may take lightly the words, "Thank you! Have a nice day!" when we hear them at the end of an exchange of funds for services, but in effect, that is a blessing. Saying good morning to loved ones upon rising and saying good night before drifting off to sleep is a form of blessing. I do not need to don my clergy collar to bestow a blessing upon my daughter as she goes off to school. A simple, "Bye honey! Have a good day!" will do. This strikes me today because I recently let a loved one leave my presence with words that were far from a wish for God's blessings. (I do not want to linger on the subject of cursing but please note that there is a big difference between saying Good bye, God Bless, I love you, and "Don't let the doorknob hit you where the Good Lord split you!" Can you tell which is the blessing?) I can and did pray that God's blessings will follow my loved one, but there is a different power in conferring that blessing from my mouth to my loved one's ear. I have seen the anguish of far too many mourners who reflect on the last words that they uttered before losing the beloved one. In the midst of our greatest hurts and pains, can we find a simple way to always give our blessing? I say yes. It can be a simple as whispering, Adios (Spanish for 'To God'), Adieu (French for 'To God'), or "Vaya con Dios" (Go with God) in place of the ever popular "Go to Hell!" If your loved one asked you for a blessing and bowed her head before you, would you invoke the evils of the world upon her? Of course not. You would ask the Almighty for the good and perfect gifts that have been promised. Even when you don't want that someone to leave, remember to send him or her off with a word of blessing because you never know if their departure or their return will come back to you as a blessing!
When I think of words of blessing, I think of the words of the 23rd Psalm where the Psalmist speaks of God's blessings. "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over" (Psalm 23:5 KJV). As I read that, I see the oil coursing down on my own head and I think of the consistency of oil. I think of the slow moving, viscous oil clinging to my head and it makes me think of the words that stick to me in the same way. An oil blessing of "I love you" will cling to my mind and strengthen me in the midst of my day. An oil blessing of "Thank you" clings to me and reminds me to not only give but to receive graciously. An oil blessing of "God Bless you" clings to me and carries me beyond the borders of self-reliance. An oil blessing of "I'm proud of you" grips me and encourages me to always do my best work. An oil blessing also allows the words of cursing to slide right down my back. Hurl your best insults and curses at me because my head has been annointed with the oil of blessing. Those words cannot cling to me because of the protection of my oil blessings! What words of oil blessing can you bestow upon someone today? Draw upon the Source for the words when you have none. I have included this clip of Lalah Hathaway singing "Don't Forget to Remember (where your blessings come from)." When my well of words for blessing runs dry, I remember where my words of blessing come from and I can offer blessings from my cup which is always in a state of overflow.
I will leave you with this Irish blessing....until next time, shalom!
"May God give you...For every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smile, for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sigh a sweet song and an answer for each prayer."
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