Blessing

 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Number 6:24-26)

 

Today’s passage is the blessing Aaron was to give the Israelites. As I think about good decisions, and about what I want to do in the coming year, blessing is a good word. As I think about it, it might be a step in a good direction, because it seems to me that this time of year is normally one in which I’m thinking more in terms of “bow the knee.” There’s part of me that is now sitting back in astonishment and thinking, “Hey, that’s right, I’m not depressed.” The truth be told, I think I’m too tired to be depressed.

But… blessings. Gary Smalley listed the following components of blessing: a meaningful touch, a spoken message of love and acceptance, attaching “high value” to the person, picturing a special future for the person, and actively committing to fulfill the blessing. I don’t see all of those elements in the blessing Aaron was told to give the Israelites. It leaves out the meaningful touch, and an active commitment to fulfill the blessing. But what it adds is so much more important: God’s commitment to fulfill the blessing.

As I read Mr. Smalley’s list, I also think of Gary Chapman’s five love languages: words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch. They aren’t quite the same, but close. I’m willing to argue that blessing and loving are at least siblings, maybe two sides of the same coin.

Mr. Smalley wants all five elements in each blessing. Mr. Chapman says we are better at one than at the others. I prefer Mr. Chapman’s version because failure to do one part of the blessing that Mr. Smalley describes would seem to make the blessing itself a failure.

I like the blessing Aaron was taught even better, because it brings God into the picture. I’m thinking I’m going to put it on an index card and make it my prayer as I walk.