It can be hard to know what to "aim for" with our children at most stages of parenting; when they are young we feel we might get to have them forever and don't want them to grow up. Then, as they enter into the teen years, we may be tempted to feel they are growing too quickly without hope they will grow in the ways we want for them. I believe that as we look to the Word, we can find God's way of dealing with raising our children up through each of these stages...in fact, it is not that different than how God deals with each of us. What does He do? He speaks blessing and hope over our lives, even when we feel we don't deserve it!
All throughout the Old and New Testament, God speaks blessing over His people! Discovering some of these spoken blessings has been of utmost importance for my life and the lives of my children, because as I look to the distant future and try to make out what things will look like in their lives, I realize I can't see clearly. I don't know who they will marry, I don't know where they will live, I don't know what careers they will pursue - but there is one thing I know and can do now - God wants to bless our children and I can speak God's blessings over them, regardless of the stage! This accomplishes two things: one it shows our children that there is hope for all that lies ahead, even on the days they don't feel worthy; and two, it reminds us of the truth that God is able to do far more than we could ask or imagine, even if our children's future is looking dim at the moment.
So, what does speaking blessing look like day to day? Telling your newborn that he/she is a precious gift from God and that He loves them. Telling your two year old that he/she was created by God and He has good things for them to do. Telling your seven year old that he/she is growing beautifully in learning more about God and that He has great things in store for their life. Telling your teenager that even though they can't see where they are supposed to go, God can, and the Word says He has plans to give them a hope and a future. It is speaking the truth of God's love for them over and over, on good days and hard days - till it sinks it is so solid that no one will be able to take it away.
The hardest times, as a parent, to speak blessing into our kids lives, seem to be the days that we see the least amount of hope; but those are probably the most important times. They need us to be the "adults" and lovingly remind (us &) them that God has good things to look forward to. It requires patiently taking a deep breath, giving a hug and assuring them that we love them and God loves them, maybe even sharing a scripture like Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Every time we speak God's truth into the lives of our children, we plant seeds of hope and truth that will go down deep and remain ~ it will become part of the important foundation that helps the distance become more clear and bright for them.
Don't ever stop speaking blessing! God has promised His Word will not return void, so keep God's truth coming out!
Deuteronomy 28:3-9 "You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land...your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out...The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land He is giving you."
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