The Father's Blessing

In THE BLESSING by Gary Smalley and John Trent they give the 5 components of the blessing that children need from their fathers. They are:
1. Meaningful Touch “Touch is central to human social life. It is the most developed sensory modality at birth, and it contributes to cognitive, brain, and socioemotional development throughout infancy and childhood.” Field, 2001; Hertenstein. Human touch reduces the stress hormone cortisol. In other words, it imparts peace.
2. A Spoken Word
“Research shows that how and how much a parent talks and interacts with their child has a big impact on the child’s success in school and life. Children aren’t born smart; they’re made smart by their parents talking and interacting with them.” This does not just apply to early childhood; it applies throughout our lives.
3. Attaching “high value” to the Child
How do we attach high value to a person?
• Be a good listener. Give them your full attention.
• Offer perspectives that address their present issues
• Be kind and generous with your time and attention
• Recognize their best qualities and affirm them and draw them out
• Affirm their character and their talents
4 Picturing a Specific Future for the Child
This can either focus on some talent or aptitude that the father sees in the child, or it may be an actual job or calling. Care must be taken here because not every dream a father has for his child is God’s choice. This is where prayer and hearing God’s voice is essential.
5 Making an active commitment to fulfilling the Dream
Some of you might be saying this just sounds like child psychology. Does this have anything to do with God and the Bible? “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Mat. 3:16-17
If Jesus needed this blessing (which He did) how much more do you need it? Here is the great news, we can release the Father’s Blessing not only to our natural children, but to our spiritual children as well. Not only that but we can also release the Father’s blessing to our brothers and sisters in Jesus!