Have you ever read what Jesus did in Matthew 19:13–15? I’ll give you the short version. People brought little kids to Jesus, and you know what He did? He took them up in His arms and blessed them.

When I used to read this, I had a religious picture in my mind of what the scene looked like—Jesus holding the wee (and well-behaved) darlings in His arms, much like the painting most of us have seen of Jesus holding a little lamb. I don’t think that’s what was happening. According to Webster’s Dictionary, one of the primary meanings of the word “bless” is “to speak well of or approve.”

Before I had ever read Webster’s definition, the Holy Spirit helped me understand approval is irresistible. I began to try it out. Something as simple as saying, “I like your shoes!” would bring walls down and swing doors open.

Want to bless kids? Speak well of them. Give them approval in some way. It worked for Jesus, and it will work for you too. Try it and see!