At our Praying Without Words online session in July we reflected on these words from The Quiet Path by Andrew Rudd:

As I walked out on the first day of July –

All the paths were choking with brambles and nettles.

And I don’t know why, but I began to name and bless:

I bless you, goose grass. I bless you oak tree. I bless you, blackbird.

And God said: Me, I’m always blessing things: flower, bird, tree, rock, person.

Now you’re beginning to understand what it is that I do all the time.

Joy Tobler wrote and shared these words in response:

I AM THE ONE WHO BLESSES

I AM the Lord, the Blesser.

That is My very essence – to bless, to bestow love;

that is grace.

I blessed the rock in the wilderness

and it gave water to the thirsty Israelites

- My grace-gift to them.

I blessed the ravens, and they took food to Elijah.

I blessed the waters of the Jordan, and they healed Naaman.

I blessed the loaves and fish, and they fed the five thousand.

I blessed Peter and the disciples at Pentecost,

and many heard the Gospel in their own languages

and believed in Me.

I blessed Paul on Malta,

and the snake did not kill him,

and he could heal all the sick there.

I bless some, that others may be blessed by them.

I give grace, that through them others may be graced.

I am blessing you, that you may bring My blessing

to others in need.

Receive My blessing, My love, My grace,

- And give it away!