One of the most beneficial kinds of benediction is one-on-one conversation, especially when the focus is on the Word of God and the Ways of God in our everyday lives - past and present. As some of you know, I am living at home under hospice care. I may have a few months to live, of perhaps a year or two.

Today, at my bedside, I received a benediction from a dear friend from the 1970's. He and I spoke of many matters and then prayed together as he knelt by my bed. I know I was "blessed" and I trust that my theologian friend, Alan Padgett, was as well.

I desire to not only say, write, pray and think benediction to others, but to be a benediction incarnate. I long for my very presence/body/self to be a rich blessing/benediction to the other - whether this is someone kneeling next to my bed or someone I fuel my car next to at the gas station.

bless

From the earlier English bledsian and blod (blood), referring to the rite of consecration by sprinkling an altar with blood. Some chief definitions of the English verb "bless": (1) to make or declare holy by a spoken formula or a sign; hallow; consecrate; (2) to ask divine favor for; (3) to favor or endow with; (4) to make happy or prosperous; gladden; (5) to praise or glorify.

benediction

From the Latin bene (well) and dicere (to speak). The Latin verb benedicere means "to bless." Some chief definitions of the English noun "benediction": (1) a blessing; (2) an invocation (calling down) of divine blessing, especially at the end of a religious service; (3) blessedness.