Blessings

Genesis 49:1-28

The Blessing of Jacob’s (Israel’s) sons reminds me of the importance of blessings. Israel’s blessings of his children were a mixture of prophecy, and of blessings and curses. Even though there is a major difference between blessings in the Pentateuch and today, I still think some parallels can be found.

Today both blessings and curses are passed down from parents to children, or grandparents to grandchildren. My family has passed down Christianity to several generations: the value of following God, church participation, baptism, and personal piety. I cannot even imagine my life without faith in Christ. Even though passed on to me through tradition, I have claimed it as my own. However, curses from a lack of relationship with God can also be passed down. Things like abuse, cycles of sin, alcoholism/drug abuse, and attitudes of prejudice are just a few.

My great-grandfather, a coffin maker, had a lack of a relationship with God, which led to physical abuse of my grandmother which later led to verbal abuse of my mother and uncle. It is sad that negative legacies also carry on until they are broken. My father, for instance, broke a line of alcoholism in his family. His father and grandfather before him made white lightening. My father had a negative experience with tequila in Vietnam and has not had a drink since. Thus, my father passed on to me the idea that for our family drinking is something we will abstain from.

I have in my life been able to break the chain of prejudices against foreigners and people of color. Thank God for education, a different Christian experience than some of my family have had, and for an abundance of God’s grace. So you see, we can pass on both blessings and curses today as well…by bad habits or good ones, and by a strong relationship with God and others. What legacy have you left for your children or for others to follow?

Written by Cynthia Cooper