When was the last time you blessed someone? When someone sneezed? Do you offer blessings at any other times? If so, who do you bless? What is a blessing?

According to Websters Dictionary a blessing is as follows;
Blessing
n. 1) the act or words of one who blesses.
2) a special favor, mercy or benefit.
3) a gift bestowed by God.
4)the invocation of God’s favor upon a person.
5) grace said before a meal.
6) approval

As none of us are God #3 & 4 can’t apply to us. #5 deals with a meal and while I think asking a blessing at mealtime is a great idea it does not really apply when blessing another person. Which leaves us with # 1, 2 & 6. The act or words of one who blesses, a special favor, mercy or benefit, or approval. In this case I think the approval that they are talking about is when one wants to do something and another gives their permission or ‘blessing.’ I am going to stretch this one and say that we can also bless someone when we see them doing the right thing and give them encouragement or your ‘blessing’.

My point in all of this, is that I think in our society offering words of blessing is becoming a lost art so to speak. I would like to encourage us all to take time to offer words of blessings, to lift up one another, to encourage one another. Now this may sound funny, but as I was thinking about St. Patrick’s day and all things green, I couldn’t help but think of the famous Irish Blessing, which many of you may be familiar with its words. This use to be commonly said to one another and maybe it is in some circles still today. I am sharing these words of blessings with each of you and it is my prayer that you would be blessed.

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you;
May you see your children’s children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home,
And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joy that surrounds you,
May true be the hearts that love you.