Brian endlessly sought his father's approval. Even when his dad lay dying, he pleaded, "Please say you love me, please!" For all who share that pain, Smalley and Trent offer healing. Explore the "blessing" bestowed by parents, discover what to do if you never received it, and learn to give yours to loved ones. 238 pages, softcover from Simon & Schuster.
Brian spent a lifetime seeking his father's approval. His father wantedhim to be the best and the brightest, and Brian tried - desperately! Whenhis father lay dying, Brian rushed to his bedside to plead one last time,"Please say you love me, please!"
We all have a powerful need to know that someone in this world loves us and accepts us unconditionally. We especially crave our parents' blessing, and without it, we may become angry and driven, or detached and empty. Wemay also feel this hurtful lack between brothers and sisters, husbandsand wives, or even within our religious congregation.
Now family counselors Gary Smalley and John Trent, Ph.D., show us how wecan transform our lives - even when it is no longer possible to receive our parents' blessing. They reveal the five key elements of the blessing, describe the most common home situations where a blessing has been denied(one of them may be ours), and offer practical, effective methods to healbroken hearts and families. Most important, they explain how we can bea blessing, and pass on that life-changing gift to our love ones.
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
5 of 5 Reviews Showing:
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Mary A (Merced, CA), August 04, 2009
A wonderful book to buy and share. I first read this many years ago but have remembered and shared the wise and helpful suggestions on how to honor those you love from children to grandparents. Great price, wonderful book.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by John Deckard (Macomb, IL), December 24, 2008
This book is a must read for all christians who desire to grow stronger in their relationship with their children, spouse and God. Very useful for small study groups to grow the church.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Beverly Keyse (Mentor, OH), February 20, 2008
I first read this book several years ago. This is probably the book that has most influenced my life besides the Bible.
The book explains why we are lacking in the ability to love and communicate that love to others may be because of the way we were raised and perhaps, not shown love nor received,the blessing of our folks and other people that we have cared for and respected.
This book clearly shows us how to communicate and actually change our patterns of a lifetime, and is truly "The Blessing."
I will be using these books and the study guide to lead Bible Study at our homeless shelter in Painesville.
GB You, Beverly Keyse; Pastor of Care. First Baptist Church of Painesville
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Tammy O'Connor (Rochester, NY), February 18, 2008
I am a teacher with a bent toward Sociology and counseling. I read this book years ago and felt compelled to pass it on. I am akin to many disfunctional relationships, found this book "a blessing" and still recommend it to anyone who has difficulty maintaining healthy relationships. I am currently purchasing it for a family member who is disconnected from their adult children. It is a classic and the beginning of a long line of books by Smalley that continue to bless our relationships.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Diane Davis (Portland, Texas), March 03, 2007
As a Bible study teacher, Christian counselor, and volunteer with drug-addicted teens (many of whom have been abused), I buy copies of this healing book by the dozen to give away, and I teach the principles to groups of all ages. This remarkable book, based on the five elements of the biblical concept of blessing, will help people of all ages come to appreciate what they have received from loved ones (parents and spouse) and come to terms with what they have not.
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