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Merry Christmas
Kevin
Rejoice In Your Christmas Present!
baptism
My Kids’ Blessing
Our children are precious. This email I received this week was something I just had to share (with Brenda’s permission) about the blessing I give my children and continue to give. In addition, you can download a free copy to bless your children or grandchildren… even from afar.
Hi, Kevin. Hope this finds you and your family well.
I want to share a sweet story that goes all the way back to the first time I attended the On Purpose training session in Orlando. You talked to us about the blessing you say over your children, and gave me a copy of it. I put it to memory and began saying it to my children often. Not every day, but several times per week. I am always amazed at how they soften and smile when I begin saying it—even my 13-year-old who is VERY 13 right now! A couple of weeks ago I had a particularly challenging day, and to make matters worse I wasn’t feel well. I decided to go to bed early, and went in my room to lie down. A few minutes later, Megan, my 9-year-old, came in and got in bed with me. She reached over, placed her hand on my head and said “God bless Mommy. Give her a mind to know, eyes to see you….” and said the full blessing over me. It was a very sweet moment. I pray she’ll be saying it for many years, and passing it on to her children and grandchildren. Thanks for the blessing! I thought you’d like to hear the story.
Brenda
You can well imagine how that email made my day.
You may download a free copy of MyKidsBlessing here.
Anne’s Confirmation
Today, our daughter Anne, was confirmed at All Saints Episcopal Church in Winter Park where we’ve attended for twenty three years. Standing behind with hands on her stood her godparents and parents as Bishop John Howe laid hands on her. In the Episcopal tradition, babies are baptized and received into God’s kingdom in this sacrament. Godparents commit to help rear the child in God’s way until the child can make a mature commitment to Christ and seeks to receive the Holy Spirit. So to have her godparents stand there brings both a closure of sorts for them, but a beginning for Anne.
Here is what the bishop says as he laid hands on Anne: Strengthen, O Lord, your servant Anne with your Holy Spirit;
empower her for your service; and sustain her all the days of her
life. Amen.
He makes the sign of the cross upon her forehead (as was done in her baptism) both recalling her baptism and affirming her decision to step into her ministry and calling in maturity.
As I step back and think what has taken place in the spiritual realm… it takes my breath away!