"Blessing", when I first saw this word, the old hymn, "Count Your Blessings" by John Oatman, immediately came to my mind.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

My list would be long and varied, from family to friends, to God's protection, God's provision, etc., etc. However, I started thinking about another definition of "blessing", the kind we use with our words...to bless others.  

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words." Proverbs 18:21 (AMP)

Far too often we hear the "death" part of the power of the tongue, it's all around us and destructive. It saps the life from us and instills fear and anxiety. Jesus calls us to be in the world, but not of it. I believe that this is just one way that we can make a difference. This past week, I was in a difficult situation at work that affected many people.  As my husband and I prayed as I was getting ready to return to work the next day,  he prayed that God would use me to bring life and peace (blessings) into the situation. I was so keenly aware of His presence the entire day. I was so grateful for His calming presence. This verse kept coming to my mind.  

"Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak]." Ephesians 4:29 (AMP)

As I encountered co-workers and others that day, I wanted to bring life and peace into the situation and I trust that God used my presence for His good.

How can you be a blessing or seek to speak blessings into the lives of those whom you come in contact with this week?  

This post is part of Kate Motaung's "Five Minute Friday," which she hosts on the brand new Five Minute Friday website. Kate posts a single word each week and each blogger sets a timer for 5 minutes to write and then posts, with very little editing. This is an exercise in the discipline of writing. Check out this week's postings. 

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