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Date: Dec 31, 2008 Previous By Ardis Dick Stenbakken, Heaven's Wisper (Women's), 2008, RHPA Because of your father's God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, blessings of the breast and womb. Gen. 49:25, NIV.
Every morning parents bless their waving children as they drop them off at school. Daily, in thousands of high-rise buildings, workers offer short prayers for their coworkers before leaving. Departing travelers acknowledge God as they board trains, planes, and ships. Even those who fight against God bless others as a part of their daily ritual. Laws are enacted that demand that graduates refrain from praying; and villages, towns, and cities remove crosses from hills but speak words of blessing in their concluding remarks. Fortune 500 companies provide detailed training for all their staff to bless those who call, and, amazingly, nobody objects.
In the Bible’s very first book we find God blessing the seventh day of Creation. In chapter 9 God blesses Noah and his sons, and Noah asks God to bless Shem. Melchizedek blessed Abram. God blessed Sarah, and Rebekah’s family blessed her as she left her homeland to be wed. Jacob begged for a blessing from the One with whom he wrestled, and he received it. At the end of Jacob’s life he spoke a final benediction over his sons and grandsons. Some form of blessing occurs more than 60 times in Genesis.
Today we practice leftover rituals that remind us of those Bible blessings. Many parents take the time to have their children dedicated, or blessed, in special church services. Some religious schools begin the school year with a dedication service. Many weddings include special dedication prayers. These services all ask God’s blessing and continued presence to be with those being blessed. How does all this happen?
All over the English-speaking world people say “goodbye.” The benediction “goodbye” is an alteration of the phrase “God be with you.” Over time the phrase was modified and shortened to “good” for God, and “bye” for “be with ye.” The phrase has been further shortened to bye or bye-bye, but it still means “God be with you.” Without ever realizing it, millions daily acknowledge God’s presence with a farewell wave and a friendly “goodbye.”
Shirley Kimbrough Grear ___________________ |
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