Gary Smalley's The Blessing

The book, The Blessing, authored by John Trent, Ph.D. and Gary Smalley is a profoundly written book that highlights what a blessing is and how it is given. The authors of this manuscript emphasizes the meaning of the blessing and give accounts of people receiving their blessing in scripture, those not getting their blessing, and the importance of receiving and giving this incredible gift. Smalley is able to share the idea and describe what the blessing is with such ease and in that the book is able to flow and impact readers of all levels and those who are in different areas in their Christian walk. The book details the five stages the blessing is given to someone: meaningful touch, spoken message, attaching high value, picturing a special future, and active commitment. The author

underscores that not only your parents can give the blessing, however, anybody in your life can give you this present. For example, Smalley discusses how and when his grandfather not his father gave him his blessing before he passed away and how that moment in time assisted in shaping his life.
This book would be a key addition to a therapist bookshelf regardless of their field of expertise. The text will be able to help a numerous number of individuals with the underlying issues. Even though this text does integrate theory and scripture with the ideas and findings this tool can be utilized in a secular setting. The final chapters of this manuscript identifies the types of people who have missed their blessing and gives five examples of households that represent a variety of different situations that children find themselves and that attributes to them not given the gift fully. This can and should be a tool for therapists since the authors agree that several negative issues affecting people can be traced or helped by the individual receiving half the blessing or not receiving the gift at all. For example, if a client is visiting a therapist and the client remarks that he or she is having difficulty in their relationships both romantically and platonic. After a few sessions, the therapist understands that the client “smothers” and this behavior is the reason for he or her not able to maintain a healthy relationship that lasts and benefits both parties. “Their past has left them so empty emotionally that they eventually drain those around them of the desire to help or even listen,” (Trent J, & Smalley, G., 2011, p. 189). Therefore, this book gives the tools for a therapist to be better equipped to enhance the quality of life of their clients. However, not all theories and books are the complete guide on a step-by-step basis to counsel their clients. This book is and should be utilized as another tool in their toolbox in order to give the best care possible to the individual they are counseling.
This book concludes with a significant note on how words can make an individual feel and how words can limit individual’s expectations for themselves.

If a parent never tells her children that they love them, the kids can begin to feel unloved. If a parent or guardian informs their child/children that they should not try something since those are for “those kids.” Such as a child ask their parent/parents that they want to enroll in the advanced diploma and their father expresses his thoughts on their lack of ability then this can hinder the child’s drive to achieve what seem difficult to be viewed as unattainable.
In conclusion, the book, The Blessing, is an incredible book that underlines the significance of a parent loving and believing in their children and actively supporting their child in the manner that enables their attempts to achieve great things. For example, a parent who believes their child is destined for a football career, however, they never enroll them in leagues and/or camps then they only have given them a half blessing. For a therapist, this book should be a tool utilized when counseling individuals regardless if the setting is a Christian or

secular.