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Writer's pictureNoelle LeBlanc

Blessings Bestowed



The house is strangely quiet. Gone are the squeals of childish laughter. Gone also are the groans of sibling rivalry.


Today, I said goodbye to my only child and my two grandchildren….a farewell until next year.


Military life for them and island life for me make family time scarce. So, if I’m particularly fortunate I get to see them twice in a year. I have learned that absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder; thus, every moment is cherished.


This year our time together was five glorious weeks! But it was even more splendid because the first week my mother and stepfather joined us on a family excursion to the beautiful island of Maui. What made this extra special was the realization that we had four generations together….four generations of women (technically one in training – who had just turned double-digits reaching the milestone of the ripe old age of ten years old!)


To celebrate this unique opportunity, God placed on my heart the importance of blessings- particularly a father’s blessing. According to Scripture, a Father’s blessing is one of the highest honors that one can receive- words not only of encouragement but, prophetic words to speak into existence a person’s future- their inheritance.


Armed with this knowledge, I set out to bless my granddaughter with the goal that for the rest of her life she would be surrounded by God’s favor and that all the words spoken over her in this special moment would come to pass. To give her a birthday gift that has no comparison!


Those present would each contribute something special to the ceremony. My mother and stepfather would sing a few verses of The Blessing, I would dance a special hula, my husband would read Scripture and then he would speak a blessing over her, followed by her father’s blessing, and then my daughter would seal the ceremony with a final prayer.


After a few trips to different floral stores, we were able to secure a fresh haku lei for her to wear as a crown. We also stumbled upon a beautiful spot (in the middle of a deserted shopping mall) to perform the ceremony right before sunset with a tropical breeze blowing in the air and a beautiful serenade of hundreds of white birds settling into a nearby tree for the night.


The surprise was complete, the setting beautiful, and all participants did their part. It wasn’t a picture-perfect scripted ceremony but, we did our best and everyone involved walked away a little different. My granddaughter was so surprised and even cried when her father spoke over her.


For me, the feeling that was invoked is hard to describe. Words like joy, love, fulfillment, and peace don’t do it justice. There was this sense of perfection in power.


Not from the scenery. Not from the music. Not from the emotions or tears.


No, this feeling of perfection came because of the powerful words and tears expressed by the men.


It was something uniquely special that I don’t believe I’ve ever witnessed before- not even at a wedding. Three generations of hearts aligned in unity to come before the Lord and have prophetic words spoken over a little girl from the mouth of the “fathers” in her life and lineage.


What child wouldn’t want that?


What parent wouldn’t want that for their children and grandchildren?


I wish I could say this was a family tradition with each of the three ancestry women represented in this ceremony having received such a blessing in their lives. Maybe if we had some of our struggles and deficiencies could have been avoided?


For the Bible tells us that God wants us to impart His blessings on our children. He wants us to stand on His word and have faith just like the patriarch Jacob who blessed his twelve children including his son Judah whom Jacob spoke the blessing over that the Messiah himself would come from his lineage!


Pastor Rob Gross in his book, You’re My Bambino stresses the importance of a father’s blessing. That when fathers bless their children they prosper. Gross writes that “fathers are conduits of God’s provision, protection, and purpose; but their calling is ultimately to introduce their families, wives, and children to “the Father.” This means, dads, you have been called by God to provide a clear, not perfect, snapshot of God the Father to your children and call their spirit man to connect with the Spirit of God. Whether you are a biological or spiritual father, God has called you to release your children into their destiny.”


This is pictured in the Aaronic blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26:


“May the Lord (your heavenly Father) bless you, and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you peace. “


Jeff A. Benner, writing for the Ancient Hebrew Research Center, explains this Aaronic blessing through a Hebraic lens revealing the following:


“Yahweh (the Lord) will kneel before you presenting gifts and will guard you with a hedge of protection. Yahweh will illuminate the wholeness of his body toward you bringing order and he will beautify you. Yahweh will lift up his wholeness of being and look upon you and he will set in place all you need to be whole and complete.”


Again, who wouldn’t want to receive this blessing?!


There is POWER in our words, our obedience, and in our prayers when we align with God.

If you have children (regardless of their age) you can speak a blessing over them too. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate affair - write it down and then send it in a recording, call them on the phone, spend the day with them, and speak a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing over them. And if your children don’t have a father figure in their lives to impart this blessing, never fear- ladies you can speak it anyway!


SPEAK what you want their lives to be and let them HEAR it- down into their souls!


This is just one piece of what was spoken over my granddaughter. You have my permission to make it your own and speak it over your loved ones……


“Dearest One: May you know that El Shaddai is the one true God- a God that is more than enough. He will always provide more than you can want or need. He will be your source of abundance and power. You will never walk in fear because you can find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. May you always seek God’s approval over man’s and may you forever be in God’s perfect will. Your heart will remain compassionate and you will know that God has made you special and has a plan for your life. You are a bold girl who is filled with confidence and knows the power and authority that Christ has given you. You will speak words of life and hope. And all the days of your life will be overflowing with goodness. You will never doubt who you are, you are more than enough because Christ has made you more than enough. You are brave. You are beautiful. You are immensely loved. The Lord's hands will be upon you every single day, every step that you take, and every breath that you breathe comes from the Lord. We thank you Lord and praise your Holy name that your answer is "Yes, and Amen."


My house may be empty now but, my heart is immeasurably full. For I know the precious time spent with my family wasn’t just about fun and fellowship- it was a priceless time given back to the Lord to accomplish His desires over my family. I am so incredibly thankful that God placed good men into this family who are willing to speak aloud words of faith. For they have not fallen on deaf ears!


Time spent speaking words of faith can shift the very atmosphere and change the course of history.


May all our children be so blessed.








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1 Comment


Sandy Leary
Sandy Leary
Jul 11, 2023

It was a very special time indeed!!!

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