The Blessing... a book review

In our world of fast everything, do we really have the time to bless our children, spouses, families and friends?  I know my own time management is stretched to the limit with keeping our home, educating our children, being an involved wife, and so much more.  So, how do we bless others?  Why is it so important?

In The Blessing (revised and updated), John Trent and Gary Smalley introduce us to 5 biblically proven ways to bless our children and others.  With many examples, both from scripture and the counseling practices of the authors, the elements are not only defined, but also put in context for us.

"Children from every age long for the gift of "the blessing" - the unconditional love and approval that come from a healty relationship with their parents.  This life-changing gift, essential for instilling a deep sense of self-worth and unshakable emotional well-being, contains these five essential elements:"

Meaningful touch

A spoken message

Attaching high value

Picturing a special future

An active commitment

Each biblical element of the blessing is discussed and modeled in the book  In this revised edition, the authors have included practical ideas, questions, exercises, and links for online resources.  There is a section for planning a blessing event for a child, preparing a written keepsake blessing, and living out the blessing every day of our lives.

For adults who have missed out on the blessing in their own lives, ths book includes hope for "reversing the curse" and helps readers find blessing in situations of divorce, death, desertion, adoption, and blended families.

I especially liked the chapters "If You Missed the Blessing" and "Reversing the Curse."  I know many adults that didn't grow up in a loving environment and continually seek the blessing in any way possible - not all healthy ways, either.  This cursed can be reversed, and these parents can bless their children!

I learned many ways to bless my children and family from this book.  This book is one that I will refer to often.  I read (and reread) parts of this book over 3 week's time.  The Blessing is a book that you read in small chunks and mull over each point.

I highly recommend this book for every parent ----- no matter the ages of their children!

My rating: 6 out of 5 stars

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from booksneeze.com, a part of the Thomas Nelson Publisher, for my honest review.

Blessings,

     Ellen