Blessing and Transitions
Summer is here! And with it, a time of transition for many. Our kids and teachers are winding up a school year that has been anything but normal. This month we celebrate those who graduate from high school and college, each of whom transitions to something new – more school, or a job (that they may or may not have found yet.) And even if we’re not in one of those transitions – all of us, in various ways, across the country are transitioning from pandemic life to a “new normal”… whatever that turns out to be.
Transitions – whether big life ones or just smaller annual or even more frequent ones – can be both exciting and anxious. One of the best ways to say goodbye to what we leave behind, and welcome whatever comes next, is with a blessing. A blessing is simply a statement, a prayer, of good will asking God to grant good things. A blessing can express gratitude, hope, love, desire for protection, etc. One important distinction is between a blessing and merely personal wishes. While they overlap, God’s will is always both for our well-being AND for the well-being of our neighbors, strangers, and all of Creation. Desires that trap us in self-centeredness or harm others cannot truly be blessings. But when we speak true blessings to one another (as Jesus taught us to do) we are actually proclaiming the will of God into each other’s lives.
- May the peace of God reign in this place and the love of God forever hold you tight, May the Spirit of God flow through your life and the joy of God uphold you day and night.
– John Birch
- May your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
– Philippians 1:9-11
- Circle me, Lord.
Keep protection near
And danger afar.
Circle me, Lord
Keep hope within.
Keep doubt without.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep light near
And darkness afar.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep peace within.
Keep evil out.
– David Adam
- 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 rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
– traditional Gaelic blessing
- The Lord bless you and protect you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his face to you and grant you peace.
– Numbers 6:24-26
So blessing someone means speaking God’s true desire of the fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23) and all of God’s best gifts into someone’s life. Here is our invitation and challenge to you this month – who can you bless? Who is in a time of transition – a welcome one, or a hard one, or perhaps both – who would be blessed by hearing you pray for God’s best gifts for them? Make a list! (And yes, you can always include yourself!) And then call, write, or meet up with them and share your blessings. You can borrow from other’s words and the words of Scripture. (One resource is at www.faithandworship.com under the “Prayer & Worship Resources” tab at the top of the page.) But also don’t be afraid to be creative and trust yourself and the Holy Spirit to find the simple words to bless the person on your heart! Who will you bless this month?
May God bless you in whatever transitions you are navigating right now. May God bless Alpine in this summer of transition. With just the right amounts of creative energy and healing rest, with compassion for ourselves and others, with lots and lots and lots of grace. Amen.
Blessings!
Pr Dan & Pr Lucy Wynard