“God Bless You!”

When is the last time you said that to someone (other than when they were actually sneezing)?  Do you recall the last time when someone uttered that phrase to you?

About 10 years ago, I had a friend who said that phrase constantly!!!  And, I happily stole that habit from him!   When I receive my change and receipt at the  store, or when I’m leaving a restaurant, I often say, “Thank you.  God bless you.”  Usually people respond with “Thank you, or God bless you too.”

Whatever I’m doing and wherever I am, it has become completely natural for me to tell people, “God bless you.”

One grocery clerk responded, “Thank you. I receive that.”

But my favorite response ever was a few months ago from a lady stocking the aisles at Wal-Mart.  I had utilized her assistance with a product and as I was continuing on my way, I said, “Thank you.  God bless you.”  She responded, “GOD BLESS YOU MORE!”

I LOVED THAT!  It totally made my  night and obviously left an impact since I’m writing about it now!  I expressed to her how much joy that response brought me, and that I had NEVER gotten that response in the thousands of times I had sincerely wished God’s blessings on people I encountered.

The Bible says in James 3:10:  “ From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers (and sisters) these things ought not to be so.”  God knows our world has plenty of cursing going on.  Horrible name-calling, judging, condemning, slurring, and slandering.  And the bigotry, hatred, and vitriole that is spewed throughout our culture. Yikes!  I sure want my mouth to be blessing and not cursing.  Won’t you join me?!

I challenge you to try sincerely gifting people with the simple phrase, “God bless you.”  It’s free, easy, and is sure to brighten someone’s day.  And, don’t we all want God to bless those around us?   It’s sure better than the alternative!  I’d love for you to make this your new habit and let me know how it goes!

God bless YOU, my dear reader!

P.S. I have been reading some books and really pondering the concept of blessing others, in our home and our community, especially the way our WORDS bless or do not bless those around us.  I look forward to sharing with you more in future posts.