Have a blessed day how?
I keep getting solicitations fom this local church inviting me to join them for some happening event they're sponsoring. Today's was a color flier advertising a revival with Pastor So & So and his family, all of whom are pictured on the color glossy in what I can only imagine is sadly their Sunday best. There are seven members all together, and while the boys look smashing enough in their basic blue button-ups and gold neckties, the two youngest girls look like they're modeling something their great-grandmother hand sewed for herself during the Great Depression and has since handed down through the generations. Looking at the advertisement I feel a little sorry for these girls. I mean Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie donned nicer frocks than these.
According to the ad, Pastor So & So's family is very talented and is "sure to be a blessing." When I first pulled this thing out of the mailbox, I assumed they sang gospel music. They look like one of those families from the 70s that went around selling their music to various congregations and who's since been forgotten except for some obscure mention in a kitschy book on vintage album covers. Further investigation of the flier though reveals no hint as to what exactly their talent is. Do they breakdance? Do palm readings? Lipsync to Liza Minelli?
Are they The Aristocrats?
And what makes them a blessing? Or more generally, when someone says that someone or something is a blessing, what does that mean? Is this a regional saying? Do we only hear this in the southeast United States, the area commonly referred to as the Bible Belt, or have born-agains the world over begun to use this new catchphrase? And really, what exactly does it mean?
If there is one creator who can rightfully take credit for the Heavens and the earth, aren't all things therefore of equal benefaction? Or was there a lot of crap thrown in at the dawn of time also such that blessings are few and far between? Diamonds in the rough, so to speak?
What would this septet have to do in order to not merit being called a blessing? Sing off key? Miss a step? Fart the theme to Jaws? If the youngest member of the family (I'd say he looks to be about two and a half years old) were to suddenly do any of these things in the middle of their routine and someone in the Amen Corner said aloud Bless his heart could he then retain his blessing status? Or would the simple blasphemy of breaking wind in church cause him then to be labeled a curse instead of a blessing?
Likewise I don't understand the phrase Have a blessed day which is also something I hear periodically. What does it mean to have a blessed day? If you believe in blessings, is there ever a day that goes unblessed? If not, how could someone not have a blessed day. If indeed one can't avoid running into blessings throughout the day, telling him to have a blessed day is like telling him to have a 24-hour day.
I understand have a nice day really isn't any more descriptive, but I can safely say I've had days that weren't nice. Can someone who says Have a blessed day say they've had days that weren't blessed? Or maybe what they're implying is that they themselves have the power to bestow blessings on others so that when they say Have a blessed day it's kinda like saying Here, have five dollars.
I'm not knocking blessings or those that say Have a blessed day. I just don't think I fully understand it. Feel free to offer your explanations.
P.S. I just sneezed.
According to the ad, Pastor So & So's family is very talented and is "sure to be a blessing." When I first pulled this thing out of the mailbox, I assumed they sang gospel music. They look like one of those families from the 70s that went around selling their music to various congregations and who's since been forgotten except for some obscure mention in a kitschy book on vintage album covers. Further investigation of the flier though reveals no hint as to what exactly their talent is. Do they breakdance? Do palm readings? Lipsync to Liza Minelli?
Are they The Aristocrats?
And what makes them a blessing? Or more generally, when someone says that someone or something is a blessing, what does that mean? Is this a regional saying? Do we only hear this in the southeast United States, the area commonly referred to as the Bible Belt, or have born-agains the world over begun to use this new catchphrase? And really, what exactly does it mean?
If there is one creator who can rightfully take credit for the Heavens and the earth, aren't all things therefore of equal benefaction? Or was there a lot of crap thrown in at the dawn of time also such that blessings are few and far between? Diamonds in the rough, so to speak?
What would this septet have to do in order to not merit being called a blessing? Sing off key? Miss a step? Fart the theme to Jaws? If the youngest member of the family (I'd say he looks to be about two and a half years old) were to suddenly do any of these things in the middle of their routine and someone in the Amen Corner said aloud Bless his heart could he then retain his blessing status? Or would the simple blasphemy of breaking wind in church cause him then to be labeled a curse instead of a blessing?
Likewise I don't understand the phrase Have a blessed day which is also something I hear periodically. What does it mean to have a blessed day? If you believe in blessings, is there ever a day that goes unblessed? If not, how could someone not have a blessed day. If indeed one can't avoid running into blessings throughout the day, telling him to have a blessed day is like telling him to have a 24-hour day.
I understand have a nice day really isn't any more descriptive, but I can safely say I've had days that weren't nice. Can someone who says Have a blessed day say they've had days that weren't blessed? Or maybe what they're implying is that they themselves have the power to bestow blessings on others so that when they say Have a blessed day it's kinda like saying Here, have five dollars.
I'm not knocking blessings or those that say Have a blessed day. I just don't think I fully understand it. Feel free to offer your explanations.
P.S. I just sneezed.
posted by kevin black at
3:14 PM
4 Comments:
No clue. I don't think it's even grammatically correct. It's definitely a bible belt thing. I never, ever heard that where I was raised (North Central Wisconsin). It bugs me. A lot. It makes me want to go around saying "Have a damned day" but likely, nobody would get it.
First of all, it is grammatically correct. Secondly, I don't think it's a "bible belt" thing. In fact I take offence to that! I grew up in Houston, TX and I did not start hearing or seeing the phrase until recently.
Seems to me a lot of "Northerners" feel very threatened by people from the South. Like we are all "Bible Thumpers" that try and shove God down other people's throats.
I have news for you. GOD EXISTS! And He does happen to be the ONE that gives us blessings. But if you don't believe in God, that is your problem. I feel sorry for you...
Do you even know what "religion" is?????????
Suze, I'm delighted that you took the time to comment, and I was dually impressed with your level of mastery with the use of quotation marks. My question though wasn't whether or not God existed, but rather if he does and he gives us blessings as you said, what does Have a blessed day really mean?
Have you ever had a day that wasn't blessed? Do you think anyone has.
Blog Antagonist, I love that idea. The next time I'm pissed off at someone I'm going to end the conversation with Have a cursed day.
First of all, Suze Dust-Belt from Texas, I am a Deacon, attend Church several times a week and minister in a number of charitable organizations helping the needy. That is what Christianity is supposed to be all about.
It is not grammatically correct, nor correct in any way. BLESSED is not pronounced correctly by these ya-hoos that use it, and this nonsense all started with a Black Minister that used it in one of his sermons. White people here in Atlanta does per se use it, only Black people. It is a Black person's way of saying, "I am black, I am proud, and I want the whole world to know I am Christian." Black Church services obstensibly say very little about the Bible as they are, in effect, Pep Rallies for God with a lot of hooting and hollering and jumping up and down, selling their enterprises and businesses, getting a haircut or manicure or working out at the Church gym such as at Long's Chapel, showing off their clothes, and acting like fools. This is conveninece religion, sort of like convenience food. An elderly black friend put it aptly, "Black people love to show off Church. It is a big cabaret for Jesus and most of them are only kind the three hours they spend in Church. Hateful, nasty otherwise, and don't ever buy anything from someone who starts quoting Bible verses." So you can blame all this nonsense on some over zealous Black Minister who is probably about as together and religious as Eddie Long and Cleflo Dollar, now being investigated by the IRS. Thank you God, for the IRS. We need the IRS. As you said, God, many will be deceived along the way. May these persons that are lost find their way to Churches that are genuine and true to their Christian purpose. In your name we humbly pray. Amen.
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