Dear Men of KONOS, I was privileged to attend a seminar called The Blessing by author John Trent many years ago. It was one of the most powerful training sessions in my life. I took John's teaching and the words of Scripture to heart and have used them often. I implemented specific training on at least three occasions with my three eldest sons. They each opted to forgo the homeschool graduation experience for a home graduation in front of 100 family and friends. Jessica did the graduation and diploma part and then I gave an old testament blessing a'la Gen 27 and Gen 48 and 49. Afterward, my pastor and one of the elders from my very reformed Bible church came up to me with tears in their eyes and said they had never seen those verses applied in such a meaningful and practical way. (The scriptures are too academic at my church). Rhett was presented his Piano Diploma (a big accomplishment, I'm told) by his long-time piano teacher, and had much of his art displayed on the walls in the house. His art exhibition was awesome. Many friends who were unaware of the worthiness of home education were dumbfounded at what they saw that night and were more than a little touched when a dad released his son on the world and said essentially, "This is my son in whom I am well pleased." Dads don't normally say those things in public, do they? That's one reason I said them, for the public. But more so, for each of my sons, because I wanted them to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are loved and accepted and worthy of praise. I stated and wanted them to know that the expectations were high for them to use the gifts God had showered on them in a mighty way. (I just wish they were spiritually perfect too!) There are always additional bumps in the road or even more bumps in the college years, but a base of love and acceptance had been established to hold us together when and if rough terrain comes (at least for the Hulcy's it did. However, #2 son avoided most of the pitfalls of his other two brothers.) Even if your children opt to go to a homeschool graduation exercise or of they graduate from public or private school, I would still highly recommend a private ceremony to pass along the powerful gift of a blessing. This is a blessing from father to teen, not headmaster to graduate, or even pastor to believer. The importance of crusty ol dads sharing from their hearts and blessing their children cannot be overstated. John Trent used to have a book out entitled "The Blessing" I'm pretty sure. It is not too late to do a blessing this summer or before one teen heads off to college in the fall. Let me know if you are interested in seeing a written blessing. I think I still have one or two of mine. (email wade@konos.com if interested.) Wade Hulcy |
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