When we put this church together I knew that in time I would experience several events related to my position. This would be weddings, funerals, anointings, and all the aspects that come with it. Within the last 2 weeks I had the privilege to bless 2 children as per the customs of the church. It is always a humble honor to do such things in the sight of God.

Blessing children has been around since Adam and Eve. For God’s people it was a common practice for the fathers to bless newborns. We see that at times like in the case in the bible of Jacob blessing Joseph’s sons that the blessing carries weight to the destiny of Manasseh and Ephriam. Jews practice this ritual on Fridays to this day, symbolizing the power and significance of what those events mean in their cultural history.

Also seen in the Bible is the mention of the holy nature of the firstborn male. Exodus 13:2 and referenced again in the New Testament in Luke 2:23 in the birth of Jesus Christ “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord.” Holy means set apart and consecrated to God as His. He is the one who will follow in the patriarchy of the family. It is a birthright that carries a high significance to God.

Even though life and birth are trivialized in most places today the reality of children being a blessing has never changed. From the beginning even to have life from God is a significant blessing. I have known many couples over the years that could not conceive. Some after long periods of prayer, God changed that situation and allowed them to have a child. To them more than most, they realize what a blessing that is. Life is precious and a blessing.

In the life of any person they too are a blessing. No matter what kind of life they will lead there will be someone who has benefited from that individual somewhere. If we take a worldly view, we can easily lose sight of what our lives mean to others. A godly view shows us that we were given life as a blessing to bless others as we live it. That is the purpose of God for us.

All Children are a blessing to God. May we always remember that even when the world around us does not.

In Christ,

Stephan M. Koenig

Lakeshore Fellowship