Blessing Family

 It was Aaron the High Priest's job to daily bless the whole congregaton of Israelites.  Thereafter, his successor would carry on with this 'duty' (Numbers 6:22-27 & 1 Chronicles 23:13).  I'm touched though when others, bless others, too.  

Today, when I read,

"Then all the people left each for his own home, and David returned home to bless his family" (1 Chronicles16:43 NIV);

I thought, oh how great this is!  We can have a peek inside his home.  He did not enter and grumble nor allow the first words out of his mouth to be critical spew upon the family members for this, that or the other thing; no, he BLESSED them!  Don't you find that wonderful?!

Another scene was in the throne room; I assume.  Look at what 1 Chronicles 18:17 NIV says, 

"...and David's sons were chief  officials at the king's side..."

He did interact with them in adminstration of the kingdom.  He included them.  They "went to work" with him for the benefit of their nation. This in and of itself, a blessing.

At home.  At work.

How blessed the family.

Yes, yes, not everyone can bring their family to work but working together, perhaps among the poor of your town or within the church context; that would be something.

Like father (&/or mother), like sons and daughters, together, for the glory of the Lord and the betterment of the people within their spheres of opportunity.  Wouldn't that be something!?

My heart wants to focus on the blessing of the family; the nucleus of society.  There's a story, true or not, I'm not sure; embellished or not, I'm not sure, either.  However, it aptly guides to the head of the family blessing said man's respective family.

Their was a father, who once he arrived home from work, would step out of his car and pause before a tree in his yard.  On that tree he would symbolically  'place' his work troubles of the day, no mater how terrible or discouraging they may have been.

He'd straighten up, open his home door, step over the threshold, into the welcoming arms of the family.  His countenance was pleasant and joyful.  His heart warmed in their embrace and he reciprocated with his positive entry.  What a blessing to his family he was!

Yes, yes, again.  It's ideal and maybe not always possible.  Yet, to strive to this discipline, not sweeping the  troubles away - only putting them "on hold" for later, - this family man, husband and  Dad showed his priority and grace.  We can learn from him and David's example.

Let us all embrace our families and  bless them.  Bless with words, attitudes and actions that build up and do NOT tear down.  Make blessing a daily practice as Aaron the High Priest had done so very long ago.  May the Lord be praised in the process.

                                                    ~ERC  September 2021~

Based on 1 Chronicles 16-25, especially 16 and 18 NIV.

Sing, Blessed Be the Tie That Binds, wth Gryphon Hall.