Blessing your children

Blessing is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. In each heart there is a yearning to be known, to be valued, to be treasured. In the hectic life of modern families, finding ways to touch upon those yearnings can get lost amidst the logistics of making it through the day.

Here's one idea for letting children know we see the beauty in them, and showing them how precious they are. For blessing them.

Write them an annual letter. Choose their birthday, Valentine's Day or another special day. Take a few minutes to reflect back on the year. Think about how they've grown or matured, what they were like months ago. Remark on any milestones: their first sleepover or lost tooth, how they overcame their fear of spiders or won the spelling bee. Let them know what you see in them--the kindness, the joyful play, their great sense of humor. So often we are focused on what we'd like to see change, especially with a challenging child, but always there are glimpses of the special person they are if we look for them. And they need to see that greatness, that reflection of God in themselves too. Throw into the mix your feelings about them. The best of your feelings for them. How proud you are, how glad you are they are in your family.

Feel overwhelmed with writing a letter? Take 5 minutes and write 5 sentences. Something that made you smile about your child.
Something you shared together that was fun.
Something they grew in or succeeded in.
Something that is special about them.
How they make you feel on the best of days.

Think your child is too young for a full discourse? Write that one year old a letter...and save it in their photo album. When they are older--perhaps a teen--give them a copy of your letters. Let them see themselves through they years through the eyes of a loving parent.