Blessing Your Children

Are you waiting for breakfast in bed and new socks? There can be a lot more to Father's Day than that! It’s an unparalleled opportunity to use your most powerful weapon – the “Father’s Blessing”!

Craig Hill identifies seven crucial times in life to impart blessing:
1. Conception
2. In utero
3. Birth
4. Infancy
5. Puberty
6. Marriage
7. Older age

Our Western culture makes no allowance for these “rites of passage” and so people are often left suffering from rejection instead.

Your Father
At PK Events, usually about half the men present have not had a good relationship with their father. Use Fathers’ Day to write a tribute to your Dad. If he is no longer alive, this will still benefit you by making sure your own attitudes and feelings are right.

Ideas to get you started:

-	List everything he did right, that you appreciate, meaningful experiences and godly character qualities.
-	Separate any negative or abusive behaviours from him as a person. You can honour him as a person.
-	Set it out as a letter, card or certificate. If appropriate, apologise for any wrong attitude on your part. Be a reconciler!

Your Children
Start a family tradition that really means something! It can be a chance to:

1.	Bless them and honour them - affirm the qualities you see. A note, letter or card will be treasured.
	Hints:	-	List three things you appreciate about them.
		-	Write about the one thing you believe they can achieve.
	We so often have to correct our kids – make the most of the chance to encourage and praise them. Don’t be a victim of the tall poppy syndrome that curses our nation. Pray a blessing – Think of how you can bless them then pray individually over them. Don’t be put off if they are nervous or giggly – they will still appreciate it.
2.	Do something Fun! Dads are designed to do the crazy, silly things that kids love and mums either tolerate or hate. When you go out on a limb and create a fun experience with your kids you are also creating a memory that will stick for years. It makes a great change from “dad the disciplinarian” doesn’t it? “Fathers Who Dare Win” by Ian Grant has lots of ideas for fun Father's Day activities. The central theme is to be purposeful and plan fun activities appropriate to each child. Keep it fast paced so you maintain momentum.

Let’s get used to the concept of honouring each other and being thankful. Father's Day can remind us of that and be used to teach it to our families.

“When we keep our promises to our kids, even when it hurts, it says ‘you are important to me’, loud and clear.” Ian Grant – Fathers Who Dare Win. (Available in bookstores and from PK.)