His Father’s Blessing

Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains.
Genesis 49:26, NIV

Missionary John Paton never forgot how his dad accompanied him to the docks when he departed for the South Pacific. Paton later wrote, “His counsel and tears and heavenly conversation on that parting journey are fresh in my heart as if it had been but yesterday. …He grasped my hand firmly for a minute in silence, and then said: ‘God bless you, my son! Your father’s God prosper you, and keep you from all evil!’ Unable to say more, his lips kept moving in silent prayer; in tears we embraced, and parted. I ran off as fast as I could…. I looked back and saw him still standing with head uncovered where I had left him gazing after me. Waving my hat in adieu, I was round the corner and out of sight in an instant. But my heart was too full and sore to carry me further, so I stayed there and wept for a time.”

Paton never forgot the prayers, love, or example of his father.

When we raise our sons and daughters to be courageous, utilizing God’s Word as the standard, they will learn to be resolute in the things that matter most.