Five Minute Friday - Benediction

One word. Five minutes** to write about it. This is the idea behind Five Minute Friday and this is today's free-writing post.

receive the benediction

Kind words are benedictions. They are not only instruments of power, but of benevolence and courtesy; blessings both to the speaker and hearer of them. ~Arthur Frederick Saunders

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When I was a kid, and was fidgety and bored in church, there were times when we reached that final hymn and closing words and I was just anxious for it to be done so we could go get lunch or get on with the day. I don't remember whether our pastors typically spoke a specific benediction over the congregation, or made that announcement to "receive the benediction". I just knew the service was over.

I also don't remember at what point in my adult life the blessing or benediction became something I wanted to hear and truly felt like a blessing. I greatly appreciate a prayer of blessing on the congregation as we take to heart the things God has spoken to us about during a service and let the Holy Spirit change us and how we live in some way. The benediction is a prayer that we would receive what God has for us, and an encouragement to see God's blessing and stay in relationship with him. My very favorite benediction is the one known as the Aaronic blessing:

"The LORD bless you and keep you;

the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."

~Numbers 6:24-26~

The word 'goodbye' comes from the phrase "God be with you" so in a way, whether we know it or not, we're offering a blessing to folks whenever we say it. I also like the rather archaic expression "Godspeed" although I rarely use it. I do remember folks saying "Go with God" too. I have a dear friend who typically blessed her family members with this phrase or something very like it when they left the house. My family has gotten in the habit of simply saying "Love you!" as part of our goodbyes, whether leaving the house or ending a phone call, and I guess that declaration of love and affection is a sort of benediction to our loved ones. That's how I mean it, and that's how I hope each family member receives that as a benediction each time I say it, a blessing reminder that they are prayed for and loved.

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Y'varekh'kha ADONAI v'yishmerekha

Ya'er ADONAI panav eleikha vichunekka.

Yissa ADONAI panav eleikha v'yasem l'kha shalom.

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This post is linked at Five Minute Friday for the word prompt "Benediction"

**written in approximately five minutes, though I don't set a timer - extra time is taken to add graphics and quotes**

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