{Review} The Blessing

Product Details:
Title: The Blessing: Giving The Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance
Authors: John Trent, PH.D. and Gary Smalley
Format: Paperback book (264 pages)
Website: www.theblessing.com

Publisher Book Description:
Every human needs the gift of "the blessing"—the unconditional love and approval that comes from a healthy relationship with one's parents. In this update to the best-selling classic The Blessing, coauthors John Trent and Gary Smalley offer a fresh perspective on this life-changing gift with solid, practical advice on how to lay a secure base of in each child's life.

The Blessing powerfully communicates biblical truths on how to instill self-worth and emotional well-being into others based on these five essential elements: meaningful touch, a spoken message, attaching high value, picturing a special future, and an active commitment.

No matter the age, the approval of our parents affects how we view ourselves and how we relate to others. So what if we've missed it? The final chapters include help and hope for those who grew up without their own parent's blessing, the blessing and grandparents, ways to live out the blessing, and ideas for blessing events.

Review:
Originally published in 1986, The Blessing is a best-selling classic by John Trent, PH.D. and Gary Smalley, completely revised and enhanced with new material. The Blessing is a call to action, to live out the great commission lifestyle, through bestowing Biblical blessing to children, which will undoubtedly impact generations to come.

The Blessing is based on the five elements of the Biblical blessing as mentioned in Scripture:
Meaningful Touch - a non-verbal affirmation of laying on of hands, hug, or other appropriate touch.
A Spoken Message - verbalized words of affirmation and unconditional love.
Attaching High Value - honoring the value of the person being blessed.
Picturing a Special Future - transformational vision of the future of blessing.
An Active Commitment - unconditional commitment to relationship.

A Blessing Prayer from The Blessing
"Lord, may our children never have to search for words or be left wondering if they are of value to us or to you. Help us to bless them, Lord - with our words, with our actions, with our whole lives. Remind us not to leave our words to chance but to choose to bless our sons or daughters all the days of our lives. In the name of Jesus, from who all blessings flow, amen."
 
This new revised edition contains helpful online links, discussion questions for every chapter, activity ideas, "Living the Blessing" applications, instructions for creating a keepsake blessing, and ideas for planning a blessing event. If you sign up for The Blessing Challenge, you can receive free access to videos that compliment each chapter.

I highly recommend The Blessing for all parents of children of all ages, as this book gives solid instruction and encouragement on building healthy strong relationships, through the power of intentional affirmation and blessing. Additionally, I recommend this book for all people, even those that may not currently be parents, who may have missed out on receiving a Biblical blessing from their parents. This revised edition of The Blessing was one of my top favorite books that I read in 2012 and it is one that I will continue to revisit with my husband for years to come.

Resources:
The Blessing website
The Blessing Facebook

Disclaimer:
This book was provided by Book Sneeze for review purposes. The Homeschool Marm, Sharra Badgley, was under no obligation to provide a favorable review.