52 Weeks, 52 Activities | A Year of Connection and Growth | Week 9 | A Shared Evening of Reflection and Blessing

By -

Shared Evening of Reflection and Blessing

Welcome back to Week Nine of our "52 Weeks, 52 Activities" journey! This week, amidst the busyness of life, we invite you to carve out a special evening for Shared Reflection and Blessing. This activity encourages you and your spouse to pause, look back on your journey together and individually, and intentionally speak blessings and affirmations over one another. It's a time to cultivate gratitude, acknowledge growth, and intentionally uplift each other's spirits, strengthening your emotional and perhaps even spiritual connection.

Week Nine Activity: A Shared Evening of Reflection and Blessing

This activity focuses on creating a meaningful space for reflection and mutual blessing. It encourages couples to connect spiritually and affirm their commitment to one another, drawing inspiration from the holy scriptures.

  • Set the Atmosphere: Choose a quiet and comfortable time and space where you can both relax without interruptions. Consider dimming the lights, lighting candles, or playing soft, calming music. 
    • Reflect on Your Journey: Take turns sharing reflections on your journey together. Consider these questions, drawing inspiation from the TANAKH:
      • What are some of the blessings GOD has bestowed upon our relationship (Psalm 128:1-4)?
      • What are some of the challenges we have overcome together, and how has our bond strengthened through them (Isaiah 43:2)?
      • How have we seen GOD’S faithfulness in our lives and in our relationship (Deuteronomy 7:9)?
      • What are your hopes and goals for our future, and how can we work together to achieve them, in accordance with GOD’S will (Proverbs 16:3)?
  • Individual Reflection (15-20 minutes each): Take some time individually to reflect on the following:
      • What are you grateful for in your life right now? (Both individually and as a couple.)
      • What personal growth have you experienced recently?
      • What are some of your spouse's strengths and qualities you deeply appreciate?
      • What are some of your hopes and prayers for your spouse's future?
  • Sharing Reflections (10-15 minutes each): Take turns sharing your reflections with each other. Listen attentively without judgment or interruption. This is a time to be open, honest, and vulnerable.
    • Share Words of Affirmation: Inspired by the blessings described in the TANKH, take turns expressing specific words of affirmation and appreciation for your spouse. This could include:
      • Acknowledging their strengths and character qualities (like the "wife of noble character" in Proverbs 31:10-31).
      • Expressing gratitude for their love, companionship, and support.
      • Affirming your commitment to them, drawing on the idea of a covenant relationship (Malachi 2:14).
  • Offer a Blessing: Conclude the evening by offering a blessing over your spouse. This doesn't have to be a formal prayer, but a heartfelt expression of your hopes for their well-being, happiness, and spiritual growth. You can draw inspiration from the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24-26.
      • "YAH bless you and keep you; YAH make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; YAH turn his face toward you and give you peace."
  • The Act of Blessing (5-10 minutes each): Focus on speaking words of affirmation and encouragement. You can draw from your reflections, highlighting their strengths and expressing your belief in them. Examples include:
    • "I bless your strength and resilience in the face of challenges."
    • "I bless your creativity and passion in pursuing your goals."
    • "I bless your kind heart and the way you care for others."
    • "I bless your journey ahead with joy, peace, and fulfillment.”
    • “I bless your intelligent mind with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of GOD’S laws.
  • Shared Gratitude (10 minutes): Conclude the evening by sharing one or two things you are specifically grateful for about your relationship and having each other in your lives.

This activity encourages couples to not only express their love and goals but also to root their relationship in spiritual reflection and blessing, drawing upon the rich tradition of the holy scriptures. Creating a dedicated evening for shared reflection and blessing can be a deeply meaningful and connecting experience. By intentionally acknowledging the good in your lives and speaking words of affirmation and hope over your spouse, you cultivate a deeper sense of appreciation, strengthen your emotional bond, and uplift each other's spirits. Also, this week's activity encourages you to pause, reflect, and actively pour positivity and blessing into your relationship, fostering a stronger foundation of love and support. Join us next week for more enriching activities on our "52 Weeks, 52 Activities" journey!

I hope this blog post has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Shalom

Comments

Post a Comment

Your comments are welcomed. Be respectful and keep comments on topic. I will respond to all questions within 48 hours.

Popular Posts

Washing Away Uncleanness: Understanding Old Testament Laws of Uncleanness: Purity, Practices, and Prohibitions

By -
Image
Have you ever wondered about the intricate rules of purity and impurity described in the Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures)? These ancient laws, found primarily in the books of Leviticus and Numbers, offer a fascinating glimpse into the spiritual and daily life of the children of Israel. Far from being arbitrary, they served crucial roles in defining holiness, maintaining communal order, and guiding the people in their relationship with GOD. This post will delve into the various sources of ritual uncleanness, including death, bodily discharges, and skin diseases, outlining the specific requirements for purification and the restrictions placed upon those in an unclean state. Here are detailed requirements for purity practices. Detailed Requirements for Cleanness and Associated Restrictions The Torah meticulously detail the process for regaining ritual purity after becoming unclean, as well as the prohibitions during the period of impurity. 1. Uncleanness from Contact with a Dead Body (Nu...
Read more

The Curses Fulfilled: African American Slavery and America's Unfinished Exodus

By -
Image
  T he story of the Exodus is one of miraculous deliverance from slavery, plague, and systemic oppression. But what if the ultimate threat to a covenant people was not Pharaoh, but the  failure of their own heart ? Moses warned Israel on the plains of Moab: choose life, and blessing will pursue you; choose death, and the curses will hunt you down. Among the most chilling of these warnings in  Deuteronomy 28:15-68  is the prophetic horror of the  Full Inversion (Reversal) of the Exodus : that the delivered nation would, by its own choices, become the very thing they fled. The curse is not merely punishment; it is the  judicial undoing of the miracle of deliverance. Let’s unpack how these ancient prophecies found a devastating, literal fulfillment in the historical experience of  African American slavery in the USA , and how their echoes still shape our present. Key Point 1: The Literal Curse – Bondage in Ships (Deuteronomy 28:68) The most haunting proph...
Read more

Gooey Vegan Agave "Honey" Buns

By -
Image
These soft, sweet, and sticky buns use agave nectar to achieve the classic "honey" flavor, making them 100% vegan. INGREDIENTS A. Sweet Dough 1 1/2 cups Non-Dairy Milk (warm, approx. 105°F) 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar 2 tsp Instant or Active Dry Yeast 1/2 cup Vegan Butter, melted and cooled 2 Tbsp Agave Nectar (or vegan honey substitute) 4 to 4 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour (plus more for kneading) 1 tsp Fine Sea Salt B. Agave-Cinnamon Filling 1/3 cup Vegan Butter, softened 1/2 cup Brown Sugar, packed 2 tsp Ground Cinnamon 2 Tbsp Agave Nectar C. Gooey Glaze 2 cups Powdered Sugar, sifted 2 Tbsp Vegan Butter, melted 4 Tbsp Agave Nectar 2-4 Tbsp Non-Dairy Milk (to adjust consistency) INSTRUCTIONS PHASE 1: MAKE THE DOUGH Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, whisk together the warm non-dairy milk, granulated sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy. Mix Dough: Add the cooled melted vegan butter, agave, and salt. Gradually add the flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. K...
Read more