I love getting to the ends of the various epistles of
the New Testament because the benedictions that are
given are so apt for nightly blessings for my own
children.

Hebrews has a beautiful benediction (nightly blessing).

Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus
from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through
the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete
in every good work to do His will, working in you what
is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to
whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

I don't say the whole of the two verses when I glide
through the rooms at night. I pick out the kernel and
whisper those words.

I got a funny feeling though when today, as I continued
in James, I read these words.

James 1:2,3
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various
trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces
patience. But let patience have its perfect work,
that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Ouch.

I don't want my children to endure trials. But then again,
if it causes them to become "complete in every good work
to do His will," maybe I do.

It is exciting to see my children grow into caring and
compassionate persons. Each of the four has their own
way of responding, but each has a heart for people.

One is a giver. One has a strong gift of helps. One
looks out for the down and out and wants to help them.
And one wants to do it all.

This morning I read this blessing from Paul to the
Thessalonians in I Thessalonians 3:12.
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to
one another and to all,...

What a wonderful nightly blessing to speak to the children
as I glide into their rooms tonight.

The epistles are chock full of God's life-giving
message. They are also strung throughout with
wonderful blessings. I love to tiptoe into my
children's rooms at night right when they are
hovering between wakefulness and sleep and leave
them with a blessing to ponder.

Colossians 4:5,6 adapts beautifully to such an
end. Here is my adaptation of these verses and
newest blessing for my crew.

May you walk in wisdom in the world, may you
redeem the time, and may your speech be filled
with grace.

I found a new nightly blessing for my children. In
II Corinthians 13:11 Paul is giving the Corinthians
a benediction. He gives them several instructions. One
of those instructions is only a two word sentence. It is
tremendously focused and terse. It rather sums up
his whole ministry to them. And it sums up what I
want for my children.

Become complete.

Paul is saying, "Okay, you've made a start, but don't
rest on your laurels yet. Keep going. You still have
a long way to go; you still have a lot to learn."

Questions pop around in my head like popcorn over
these two words. Complete in what way? How does
one become complete? When is one finally complete?

Complete in what way?
Knowlege of God (both theological and personal)
Development of character
Desire to serve Him as Lord totally

How does one become complete?
Study of the Scriptures
Prayer

When is one finally complete?
When we get to our true home.

II Peter 1:5-8 adds depth to this.

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence,
add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance,
to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness,
and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are
yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor
unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

That's what I want for my children. It is more than
just a sweet little prayer for them. I want them to have
faith...virtue...knowledge...self-control...perseverance...
godliness...brotherly kindness...love.

Then they will be complete in Christ.

So tonight when I creep into their rooms to say goodnight,
I'll add these two words.

Become complete.