Each chapter has a great story or two to show examples of what is spoken of in that chapter. In this chapter the author shares a story how a prayer of blessing on a young prostitutes changed her life.
"In the grand design of the universe you and I are not intended to be receivers as much as we are to be channels, conduits, conveyors. Like any healthy body of water, we receive so we can give. All God has given you He gave for you to hand off to others. God instructed Abraham, "I will bless you and you will be a blessing." (Gen. 12:2)"
"That's God's Grand Design. The blessing prayer has great power because as we speak words of blessing we become an instrument of God's grace, and extension of His hands, a tangible way for Him to say to someone, "I love you." We are called by Him to do this. Notice:
"Finally, all of you...be tenderhearted, be courteous, not returning evil for evil...but on the contrary, blessing, knowing that you were called to do this..." (1 Peter 3:8-9)
God loves to bless His children because He can use them in turn to bless others. He blesses His blessers, and He distributes His gifts lavishly.
A blessing is redemptive and restorative because we become the vessels God uses to share His grace with others, often in unexpected places, maybe even like an all-night diner filled with ladies of the street. God moves us to see others from His perspective and then love through us. Blessings are instruments of healing, and they very often have eternal consequences."
This chapter ends with the author encouraging the reader to "reflect on ways that you can bless your family, your friends, colleagues at work and relationships in your church and neighborhood."
another good post.
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