A key step in blessing our children and families is surrendering our wants and desires and plans for them and trusting God for His desires for their lives.

[13] And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. [14] And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn). [15] And he blessed Joseph and said,
“The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,
the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,
[16] the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys;
and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;
and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”
[17] When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. [18] And Joseph said to his father, “Not this way, my father; since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.” [19] But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.” [20] So he blessed them that day, saying,
“By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying,
‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.’”
Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh.

(Genesis 48:13-20 ESV)

Blessings do not always follow our human plans!

A review of Genesis would find that this is the fifth time in the book that God supersedes birth order.  The human plan and tradition was always that the oldest would be the leader, but God chose as the leader… not Cain but Abel… not Ishmael but Isaac… not Esau but Jacob… not Reuben but Joseph… not Manasseh but Ephraim.

“One is tempted to see the cross pictured in the crossing of Jacob’s hands.  The sinner’s birth order is reversed when he or she trusts Jesus Christ, for it’s the second born whom God receives, not the firstborn.  All of this is made possible because of our Lord’s sacrifice on the cross.” - Warren Wiersbe

PRAY TODAY:  Lord, I surrender my wants and desires and plans for my family to you.  I trust Your wisdom.  Lord, have Your Way in us!