Be a Blessing
Psalm 19:14, Colossians 4:5&6, 2 Peter 3:15&16
About the Song
"Be A Blessing" was the easiest song I've ever written. It more or less wrote itself, and it'll always be one of my favorites!
It was on one of my first ever substitute teaching gigs. On my way inside, a Kindergartner that I had met as a 3-year-old preschooler a couple of years earlier was dropped off right in front of me. As she gave me a look, trying to remember where she knew me from, I heard her mom call out to her from the car: "Be A Blessing!" Later that day, while my class was at P.E., I sat in the classroom with my ukulele and wrote this song.
Later, when I was doing my internship at a Christian School in Broken Arrow, "Be A Blessing" was one of the first songs I taught my 2nd graders, and we sang it together often. We also made it the finale to the 2nd Grade Chapel service, and since then, picking up the uke and strumming those chords is a quick way to bring back some sweet memories!
The Word says that we are to "make the most of every opportunity" when it comes to sharing the message of Christ. Being a burden or a bother to someone else is a pretty good way to waste an opportunity. I want the kiddos to know that a good place to start in sharing the Gospel is simply to be a blessing! We ought to bless others' hearts in a way that brings glory to God.
Jesus told us that meek people are blessed and will inherit the earth, and therefore, Meekness is something that I aspire to. Meekness isn't the same as weakness - it's power that submits to the authority of a loving God. I've heard it said that meek people are like a cool breeze on a hot day, or a soothing ointment on a burn. I have some non-Christian friends, and let me tell you - "soothing ointment" and "cool breeze" are not words they would often use to describe Christians! People shouldn't walk away from encounters with Christians thinking about a church, a brand, or a politic. Instead, they should be reminded of how loving and faithful God is!
Finally - thanks to the nature of a sinful world, the tension between Christians and non-Christians today is anything BUT a blessing to either side involved - and the kids are NOT exempt from this tension. Teach your kids to take a stand for their faith, but be sure to teach them the attitude with which to do it. People who take a stand for their faith generally do it in one of two ways: with an attitude of love, gentleness, and integrity, or with an attitude of looking down their noses at people who are not already part of the Jesus club.
I'm pleased to say that I'm still buddies with the awesome kiddo that I wrote this song about and her family. I don't know every single thing about them, but I know that they've prioritized making sure their kids represent the Kingdom well by blessing others - it shows!
Lyrics
When I wake up in the morning, I want to tell the story
of the joy and peace You give me every day
'Cause You know my name and hear my prayers and Your miracles are everywhere
I'm one of them - and I want to let it show!
So let the words I say be full of grace
And let the thoughts I think bring a smile to Your face
Every day and every night, Jesus, help me shine a light
so I can be a blessing that always points to You!
I want everyone who talks to me and everyone who thinks of me
to be reminded of Your love and faithfulness!
'Cause You teach me and You comfort me and You've done a mighty work in me
and You're not finished, 'cause You still build me up
So let the words I say be full of grace
And let the thoughts I think bring a smile to Your face
Every day and every night, Jesus, help me shine a light
so I can be a blessing that always points to You!
Psalm 19:14, Colossians 4:5&6, 2 Peter 3:15&16
About the Song
"Be A Blessing" was the easiest song I've ever written. It more or less wrote itself, and it'll always be one of my favorites!
It was on one of my first ever substitute teaching gigs. On my way inside, a Kindergartner that I had met as a 3-year-old preschooler a couple of years earlier was dropped off right in front of me. As she gave me a look, trying to remember where she knew me from, I heard her mom call out to her from the car: "Be A Blessing!" Later that day, while my class was at P.E., I sat in the classroom with my ukulele and wrote this song.
Later, when I was doing my internship at a Christian School in Broken Arrow, "Be A Blessing" was one of the first songs I taught my 2nd graders, and we sang it together often. We also made it the finale to the 2nd Grade Chapel service, and since then, picking up the uke and strumming those chords is a quick way to bring back some sweet memories!
The Word says that we are to "make the most of every opportunity" when it comes to sharing the message of Christ. Being a burden or a bother to someone else is a pretty good way to waste an opportunity. I want the kiddos to know that a good place to start in sharing the Gospel is simply to be a blessing! We ought to bless others' hearts in a way that brings glory to God.
Jesus told us that meek people are blessed and will inherit the earth, and therefore, Meekness is something that I aspire to. Meekness isn't the same as weakness - it's power that submits to the authority of a loving God. I've heard it said that meek people are like a cool breeze on a hot day, or a soothing ointment on a burn. I have some non-Christian friends, and let me tell you - "soothing ointment" and "cool breeze" are not words they would often use to describe Christians! People shouldn't walk away from encounters with Christians thinking about a church, a brand, or a politic. Instead, they should be reminded of how loving and faithful God is!
Finally - thanks to the nature of a sinful world, the tension between Christians and non-Christians today is anything BUT a blessing to either side involved - and the kids are NOT exempt from this tension. Teach your kids to take a stand for their faith, but be sure to teach them the attitude with which to do it. People who take a stand for their faith generally do it in one of two ways: with an attitude of love, gentleness, and integrity, or with an attitude of looking down their noses at people who are not already part of the Jesus club.
I'm pleased to say that I'm still buddies with the awesome kiddo that I wrote this song about and her family. I don't know every single thing about them, but I know that they've prioritized making sure their kids represent the Kingdom well by blessing others - it shows!
Lyrics
When I wake up in the morning, I want to tell the story
of the joy and peace You give me every day
'Cause You know my name and hear my prayers and Your miracles are everywhere
I'm one of them - and I want to let it show!
So let the words I say be full of grace
And let the thoughts I think bring a smile to Your face
Every day and every night, Jesus, help me shine a light
so I can be a blessing that always points to You!
I want everyone who talks to me and everyone who thinks of me
to be reminded of Your love and faithfulness!
'Cause You teach me and You comfort me and You've done a mighty work in me
and You're not finished, 'cause You still build me up
So let the words I say be full of grace
And let the thoughts I think bring a smile to Your face
Every day and every night, Jesus, help me shine a light
so I can be a blessing that always points to You!