The older I get, the more often the words of my sweet, Southern grandmother echo through my thought closet.

“Mama” taught me a lot through her words and her life. I giggle now at one of her stern admonishments to me when I was just a little girl. With her small voice and Southern drawl, she would often say, “Honey, don’t ever watch so-poppers.”

As a young girl, I vowed I would not—even though I had no idea what in the world “so-poppers” were. I did notice that each time my petite Mama preached her anti-so-popper doctrine, she was sipping a Coca-Cola and watching Days of Our Lives or All My Children.

Not until I was a young adult did I finally realize what she was actually warning me against. As thick as sweet Southern molasses, her Georgia accent had swallowed up the words “soap operas.”

You may not have had a Southern grandmother as I did, but you’ve most likely heard the Southern phrase, “Bless your heart.” But a blessing is supposed to be more than a syrupy phrase when we blow it—and today’s 4:13 Podcast guest, author Tina Boesch, tells us why.

If you haven’t met Tina yet, she’s lived a fascinating life. She’s a writer and designer, as well as a wife and a mom, who’s lived in Istanbul, Turkey, for years. Tina is also the author of the book, Given: The Forgotten Meaning and Practice of Blessing, and she shares how you can know that God’s blessing really is for you.

Sister, you are going to love this conversation with Tina! She gave me a whole new perspective on what it means to live blessed and to bless others—and I just know she’ll do the same for you.

What It Means to Speak Blessing

• When God speaks blessing. According to Tina, when God speaks blessing it’s a vital force that sustains life and sends us out into the world. In the first pages of Genesis, the word “bless” is used as a verb, not a noun (Genesis 1:28). Blessing is the first thing God says to Adam and Eve. It’s the way He relates to them from the very beginning. And, the content of that blessing is fruitfulness, which was God’s way of gifting Adam and Eve with family and relationship. Blessing is also the very last thing we hear Jesus say to His disciples before He ascends (Luke 24:51).
• When we speak blessing. Tina says that “blessing is prayer with the horizon in view.” When we speak a blessing to one another, it’s a form of prayer. Blessing is a relational type of intercession. It involves envisioning future grace, faithfully praying for another person, and actively seeking the future good to be realized in someone’s life with the faith that God alone is able to accomplish it.

How You Can Speak Blessing to Others

• Start at home. In the chaos of mornings, Tina and her kids were missing the opportunity to give the day to God together. So, before her kids left for school, she started saying a blessing over them. As she did, her kids were reminded that they left the safety of their home in the presence of God. Whether you have children living at home or not, you can start blessing others within the walls of your home too.
• Give birthday blessings. Tina also started writing her kids important, meaninful blessings for their birthdays. You can do the same with friends, neighbors, family members, and coworkers. Sharing blessings from Scripture, even those who don’t share your faith, can open up deep spiritual conversations because blessings are so positive and affirming.
• Keep a blessings journal. On New Year’s Day, Tina writes each of her kids a specific blessing related to that year and the growth she’s noticed in their lives. She keeps them in a blessings journal for each of them. Whether it’s a spouse or a family member or a child, you can start doing the same.

Friend, you don’t have to be poetic or have a huge vocabulary to give a blessing to someone else. Your words matter because you matter to them. And what you say to them, can bless them. It can bring healing, it can bring life, and it can bring encouragement. And, if you aren’t sure where to start, these free Scripture blessing cards can help.

A Blessing for You

May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
May the Lord lift up His contenance upon you and give you His peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

And, friend, may you remember whatever you face, however you feel, you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.

Related Resources

Free Download

• Crafting Blessing Inspiration Cards

Books by Jennifer Rothschild

• 66 Ways God Loves You

More from Tina Boesch

• Given: The Forgotten Meaning and Practice of Blessing
• Tina’s website
• Follow Tina on Instagram

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Do you have a favorite blessing from Scripture?