Inspiration

In the Bible, we repeatedly see people bringing each other close to change their lives. In Matthew 19, parents brought their children to Jesus to have Him place His hands on them, pray for them, and transfer blessings to them. "Let the children come to Me," He said. Parents, such as the patriarch Isaac in Genesis 27, bless their children, often through the act of physically placing their hands on them. Isaac said to Jacob, "Come close to me," and he hugged and kissed his son before he transferred the blessing. He not only spoke the blessing, but he physically transferred it by touch. From the time our children were very little, Joel and I would hold their little hands, put our hands on their head, and pray for them. They experienced this transfer of blessings so many times as children, and even now as adults we still put our hands on them and pray for them when we're with them. We need our children to understand that as parents we have spiritual authority from God to impart and release blessings in their lives. Do you know what a touch means? It's a personal acceptance. If I reach out and touch you, it's saying there's no barrier between you and me. Never underestimate the power when you lovingly touch and embrace your children. You may say, "Well, my children already know I love them." That's good, but what would happen if you gave them a hug and said, "I bless you"? There's a transferable spiritual blessing in that hug. I read an article about Tom Herman, the head football coach at the University of Texas. He's known for how he inspires his players and gets deeply involved in their lives. But there's one thing he does before he sends his players out on the field for a big game. He gives each player, one by one, a big bear hug. He said, "I treat them like my sons. When I give them a double-armed bear hug, I'm letting them know 'I'm proud of you, I believe in you, I can't wait to watch you!" He was saying, "When those guys go out to battle on the field, it goes a long way when they know they're accepted and loved." If a coach can understand the importance of the approval of this transfer, how much more a father to his son and daughter, or a mother to her son and daughter? How much can that transfer of blessing prepare them for battle on the field of life? It will disarm insecurity and shame, and it will touch them for eternity.