Bless You!

Yesterday, I was sitting on a balcony, and from below, I heard someone sneeze. Immediately, the phrase "bless you" came to mind. I did not yell it from way above, down to a perfect stranger, but I did think about what we mean when we say that.

It's as natural as saying hello (especially for those of us who live down South), however, really does not mean that we are blessing another.

When I look back in the Old Testament, I see countless examples of how fathers would bless their children, or friends bless their loved ones. It meant something about their lives then, and for their future.

Lately, I have thought about how little we actually "bless" one another and how hard it is for us to receive a blessing. We feel silly speaking true encouragement, like somehow it might not be an appropriate time to do it. Or we might just shrug off that compliment that someone gives us, because it's too difficult to believe. The other day, one of our pastors gave me a compliment, and immediately, I was so quick to explain it away. He stopped me, and said, "Why do women always have to find a reason to not believe it?" I couldn't even begin to give him an answer, but I knew he was right.

I think this is what it means to "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Col. 3:16)

It's not always easy to bless others, or to even receive a blessing. But when we are letting the word of Christ dwell richly in us, somehow, it's going to bubble up and spill over. I want to be able to speak blessing into others lives, and receive it as well. To be able to say "bless you", and truly mean what I am saying.

Have you been blessed lately? Go see what others have been blessed by today over at Chatting at the Sky.