Bushel & a Pickle

Mama Influence

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my first born with her first born

my first born with her first born

 

Years ago as a young mom, a friend, Cookie told me she prayed over her kids every morning as they left for school.  

Mama Influence through blessing.

I took up the practice. I use the blessing from my weekly church youth meetings.  Number 6:24-26.

“Go out to the car. I’m late.  I’ll be there in a minute.”

I swallow my retort some days. Some I don’t. I am learning grace and praying I show it well.

The Lord…be gracious to you.

Today I was not gracious.

This morning we rode in silence and I withheld my verbal blessing.  Each morning, I say a blessing over my girls as they go out the door for a day in the mini shark tank otherwise known as middle school and high school.

This morning, I was silent.  On the way home, I said blessing over her repeatedly in my mind. I confessed my unloving attitude.

Mama Influence is huge. It isn’t measurable or always evident. Even today though my mother has been in heaven for over 20 years not only do I miss her, I still want her advice and her approval.

Mama Influence is huge.  I don’t always appreciate that. I forget to encourage and speak words of life to my kids. All of them; from the oldest at 33 to the youngest of 14.  Five in all.

They all still want my blessing.  Dare I say, they need it?  A blessing is affirming regardless of situation or behavior. It is a gift of grace and love.

The power of the spoken blessing is huge!

The silent treatment is not a good parenting technique. It is NOT to be counted as a best practice. It is wrong.

The silent treatment is withholding. It is not the same as keeping your thoughts to yourself.  It is a heart action meant to convey disapproval, and maybe even to inflect hurt. It is manipulative.

It is wrong.

 

P1090037

 

Before I go out for the day and after I find my phone, I will text  blessing to my beloved daughter.

Actually, I think  I’ll text them all.

 

The Lord bless you, and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine on you,  And be gracious to you;

                               The Lord lift up His countenance,  And give you peace.                                                                                                                                                                

  Numbers 6:24-26

 

 

If you’re a mom how do you bless you kids each day?  Or how did your mom bless you daily?  

 

blessings linda

 

linking here:

http://www.janiscox.com/sunday-stillness-how-is-your-prayer-a-time-capsule/

 http://myfreshlybrewedlife.com/2014/03/weekend-brew-child.html

http://www.glimpseofourlife.com/2014/03/scripture-snapshot_8.html

http://www.deidrariggs.com/2014/03/08/sunday-89/

http://christianmommyblogger.com/fellowship-fridays-confident/

 http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up.html

 

Reader Interactions

linda

Comments

  2. Hi just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading properly.
    I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
    I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same results.

    Reply

  4. Oh Linda, yes, we long for a blessing, a spoken word, a sweet affirmation, a message of hope. Whether 8 or 80, we’re craving those words of love.

    Thank you for putting this on the table. We all come hungry, don’t we …

    Reply

  5. Thank you for sharing and linking up at The Weekend Brew. I never received verbal blessing or otherwise from my mother, having not grown up in a Christian home. I can’t say I’ve always given my children a blessing, but it’s something I strive for each day. I love the idea of texting a blessing, since my older teens are off doing their own thing, and it’s an easy way of communicating should I forget. Blessings!

    Reply

  6. Linda,

    Thank you for joining me over at my blogpost “Can You Picture When It Switched For You?”

    What a sweet photo of your daughter and her baby. Your honest story here of the times we withhold the blessing we could be to our kids convicted and inspired me just now. The line: “Mama Influence is huge. I don’t always appreciate that. I forget to encourage and speak words of life to my kids. ”

    Now I need to go hug my kids! 🙂

    Have a great week,
    Jennifer Dougan
    http://www.jenniferdougan.com

    Reply

  7. hi linda, i love this post:) giving a blessing b/f they head off to school each day is a great idea. it’s also nice to have a back up of a text message if you fail! (our girls were grown b/f we had such things.)

    i love those benedictions found in Scripture. they are so encouraging…both to the one who passes them on and to those who receive them.

    i see you are part of a number of the same writing communities i am. maybe we’ll cross paths again:)

    Reply

  8. This spoke to me today. I wasn’t raised in a praying aloud household so I’m learning to be comfortable with outward prayer. I love the idea of praying for my children – individually. I will let this rest on my heart. Thank you so very much for sharing!

    Reply

  10. I’m stopping by from Fellowship Fridays. This is a beautiful reminder of how our words can either bless or curse those we love. The best sort of mama is one who realizes her mistakes and seeks to remedy them. I’m sure your children appreciate that about you! Praying I’ll be a blessing to my family today, even though our schedule is tight. 🙂
    Jen @ Being Confident of This

    Reply

  11. That’s a precious picture of your daughter and granddaughter. Your post is very meaningful and helps me to remember the impact my actions have on my children. Happy Mother’s Day!

    Reply

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