The Lord Bless You and Keep You

When no one else would tell me it would be okay, I told myself — and I tell you.

Lately, I’ve felt a deep longing for more love and acceptance in the world. I’ve been missing my mom — and the sense I had, when I was young, that everything would always be alright. Her very presence in the world made me believe I was safe. Loved. Held.

The divisions in our country today feel crushing to my wearied, tender spirit — this part of me that still clings to the hope that people might remember there's a God above it all who loves us all dearly. My theology, under the weight of grief and headlines and injustice, isn't falling apart — it’s being simplified. It's being stripped down, not toward nothingness, but toward the one thing I can’t let go of:

For God so loved the world…

Lately, I’ve found myself longing for someone—anyone—to say:

“It’s going to be okay, Laurie. It really is.”

And since I can't find anyone to say it today, I’m saying it to myself.
And I’m speaking it over you.

This picture makes me happy. I think that’s me needing comfort on the right. The bubble on the left is God working to comfort me through Numbers 6.

An Ancient Blessings for You

If you're feeling bruised, beaten, sad, or alone, I offer this blessing — this promise — for you. One that has silently traversed every second of every day, every month, every year, every decade, every century, since the world began:

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” — Numbers 6:24–26

This is one of the oldest blessings in all of Scripture. God gave it to Moses, to pass on to Aaron, to speak over the people of Israel — not as a suggestion, but as a command. It was a divine insistence on blessing.

These words were spoken over a wandering people — a people not yet home, a people who were tired and uncertain and still being formed. And into that messiness, God declared protection, presence, and peace.

This blessing isn’t flowery sentiment. It’s deeply theological and deeply human:

• The Lord bless you: May you be covered in divine kindness.

• And keep you: May you be held and guarded.

• May His face shine upon you: May you feel the warmth of His nearness.

• May He be gracious: Even when you’re not strong, or brave, or sure.

• May He turn His face toward you: Not away. Never away.

• And give you peace: Shalom. Wholeness. Stillness. Healing. Home.

This blessing was ancient even in Jesus’ day. And yet — people have continued to speak it over children and gravesides and meals and weary hearts like mine and yours.

It reminds me of another blessing that I read from time to time:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
The rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

This Irish blessing, rooted in Celtic Christian tradition, carries that same spirit of tenderness and trust in a God who is present not only in the temple or the church, but in the weather and the walking. Our God keeps us not just in theology but in our everyday rising and resting. These words, like those in Numbers, are not commands to get it together — they are gifts to receive.

Both blessings remind us we are not alone and everything will be okay. They remind me that God’s face is always turned towards me and watches and protects and loves.

Wait for It…

I once heard a story about a grandfather who, every time his grandkids left his house, would walk them to the door, place a hand on their heads, and quietly speak the words of the Numbers 6 blessing over them.

At the time, the kids didn’t think much of it. It was just part of the rhythm — the goodbye after snacks, the smell of old furniture, and the screen door creaking shut behind them.

But years later, as adults, every one of them could still remember it word for word. Not just remember — it was like they could feel it, deep in their bones. That blessing had been spoken over them so many times that it had rooted itself in places they didn’t even realize.

One of them once said something like,

“I didn’t always believe in God. But I always believed I was blessed. I always believed I was loved. And now I think… maybe that was God all along.”

Isn’t that what a real blessing does? It tucks itself into our spirit and waits. It waits for the day we need it. It waits to remind us we’re not alone.

Numbers 6 did that for me today. I hope it does that for you if you feel weary, too.

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” — Numbers 6:24–26

Do you have a blessing you once heard that you’d like to share? I’d love to hear it!

Much love,

💚 Laurie