There’s a beautiful passage in the Book of Numbers known as the Aaronic Blessing, a blessing that Aaron and his sons were instructed by God to speak over the people of Israel:
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
And then the passage continues with this word from the Lord: “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
As the children and youth of our community begin the school year, I’ve been thinking about the importance of speaking blessing over them. I have a middle schooler and a high schooler, so I know the chaos of making lunches, packing backpacks, brushing teeth, finding that one piece of homework, and getting out the door on time. But in the midst of the rush, how might we develop the habit of pausing long enough to bless our children? How could we remind them that they are not defined by their grades, or their athletic achievements, or their friend groups, but that they are seen and known and loved by a God who shines his face on them, who shows them his grace, and who gives them his peace?
The beginning of the school year is a great time to develop the habit of speaking blessing over our children. We don’t just want to affirm them for their good habits or school and athletic achievements – we want to root them in the truth of who they are and how loved they are regardless of anything they do or accomplish.
Now is the perfect time to begin a new practice – perhaps of reciting an encouraging scripture verse on the walk to the bus stop. Or slipping a note of blessing and encouragement into each lunch box, or laying a hand on each head and just saying, “Peace go with you” at the start of each school day.
And if you don’t have kids at home, or children of your own, how might you extend a blessing to the young people in our community? Perhaps by serving with your church’s children or youth ministry, or reaching out to a young person you know, or – most especially – by praying for all our children as they embark on a new school year.
Because when we speak blessing, and as we pray over our children, we are turning down the volume on the other voices that are constantly trying to criticize or label or confuse them. When we extend God’s blessing, we are putting his name on someone – “they will put my name on the Israelites” – and trusting the Lord to bless them. By which I don’t mean that we are hoping for a #blessed experience in the way “hashtag blessed” is so often used (as in, for example, a perfect weather day, or a lovely weekend with family, or a fun and unexpected surprise). Not that those things aren’t blessings! But the blessing that puts God’s name on us is the blessing that reminds us that regardless of the weather, or the difficulty of a test, or who sits with us at lunch, or any other circumstance, we have a Father in heaven who knows us, loves us, and chooses to turn toward us and extend his grace to us. We can experience the blessing and compassion of Jesus, “who took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them, and blessed them.”
So again, I encourage you to find time and ways to bless our children (and their teachers, administrators, and all who serve them!). And at the same time, know that the clergy and faith communities of New Canaan are here to extend God’s blessing to you – to remind you of his goodness, mercy, and love. And even as you read these words, even today, may you receive and know the blessing of Aaron: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Meg Newton is the associate pastor of Trinity Church in New Canaan.
