Book Review: A Beautiful Blessing

     Over the past few days, I have read a complimentary copy of The Blessing from BookSneeze on behalf of Thomas Nelson Publishing. The Blessing authored by John Trent and Gary Smalley, recently revised and updated, lays out a plan for parents to utilize to bless their children as in days of old. Taking cues primarily from the Old Testament, such as Isaac blessing Jacob, the authors give five main points to incorporate into blessings. Every child, person for that matter, as an inherent need to be loved, accepted and esteemed by others.
     A blessing not only adds value to the receiver, but can set the direction of their lives. When a parent or spouse degrades their child or significant other, respectively, they are tearing away at the person's sense of identity. On the other hand, imagine a parent consistently sitting down with a child, cradling him or her, speaking words of significance and distinction. That child is going to know they belong to a family who loves him, accepts him and believes in him as an individual.
     One of the highlights for me was that Trent and Smalley intermittently pose questions to the reader that allow him or her to ponder their own background and upbringing. Were you given meaningful touch, messages of value and a wonderful future in store? Are you passing along what you want to to your child?  It is amazing to see the difference words can have on a life. A parent has the ability to build that child up. Your tongue holds great power to destroy or build up. 1 Peter 3:10, "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile."
     The Blessing can be a blessing to not only the reader, but an entire new generation and beyond. Children will imitate even later in life what they are shown in the beginning. Love can heal old wounds; love can open new doors. A blessing coming from a parent can direct the course of a young one's life. I truly hope that this book gets read by every parent who wants to be a parent of hope and love. Blessings to the children!