What does it mean “to bless?”

_mg_0518I have heard phrases like “bless you,” “bless his heart,” and “I am blessed” many times. Politicians say “God Bless America” when they finish a speech. Complete strangers will say, “bless you,” when you sneeze. People ask for their food to be blessed, and on and on.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to bless something. I cannot stop thinking about how truly blessed the children of Casa Chapi are, and how I wish Quechua Benefit could bestow the same blessings on thousands more children in similar situations.

This led me to think about Quechua Benefit’s donors who choose to bless these children and their parents with the gifts of education, medical care, and full bellies. These kids now have the prospect of a college education, and one in particular, Xeina, is an exchange student living with Amanda VandenBosch while attending a prestigious private academy. This could not happen without your generous blessings.

I am beginning to realize, more fully, that choosing to bless someone in need is a gift. Both the person who bestows the blessing and the person who receives it are receiving a tremendous gift. A gift of love.

I think love more than an emotion. Love in my view is a specific act on behalf of another where nothing is expected in return and the only motive for the act of love is for the well-being and happiness of the recipient.

And so, to all of you who have chosen to bless the Quechua families of Peru, please know that I am thanking you from the bottom of my heart. Your love is changing lives.