26 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near and kiss me, my son.” Genesis 27:26
Kiss your kids. It’s advice I received when I became a dad, and it’s advice I pass on to other new parents. I love my dad more than I can say, but frankly, he was not the kissing type. In typical blue-collar fashion, he expressed his love mostly in side hugs, which often ended in playful headlocks and nuggies. I’m not sure how much I appreciated them at the time. But now, looking back, I wouldn’t give a single one of those exchanges back. There is just something about healthy parental affection that makes a child feel loved, significant, and secure.
To be loved as a child into adulthood is a gift. And what’s the return for the parent? Well, in addition to blessing your child, there is the hope that you might be blessed by their love as you age. You see, there comes a point of transition when a parent kissing their kids gives way to kids kissing their parents. I haven’t quite gotten there with my dad, but I will tell you that it feels good to say, ‘I love you’ to each other amidst ‘real’ hugs! Nevertheless, in my mind, I can see the day when I will kiss my dad, even if it’s on his forehead. Age has a way of softening our inhibitions, doesn’t it?
And so, kiss your kids. My sons will always know they can kiss their dad if they want. They liked it when they were young, it gets a little gross in the middle years, but in the end, nearly everyone wishes to kiss their mom and dad. I know some of you would do anything just to have that privilege again.
I wish I could tell you that the above verse was a sweet moment of parent and child affection. Indeed, Isaac kissed his son, but unfortunately, his affection—tainted with favoritism—planted seeds of division that caused his son in this instance to lean in and steal his father’s blessing with a kiss of deception. There is much to be learned from this moment in redemptive history, not the least of which is when you kiss your kids, be sure you kiss them with sincerity and unconditional affection. For a day of transition is coming when they will choose to kiss you. May that day be one of affection, joy, and sincere blessing. I encourage you to read Genesis 27 and come ready to dig into this unbelievable text.
Love you, Church!
Pastor Jerry Lingenfelter