Please bless me

I think we first of all have to define what it means to bless someone. Is it simply to wish them well? Is it to tell them you will ask God to to something nice for them?

I grew up in the south, where a common expression was "Well, bless yore heart." What exactly were we saying? Sometimes it was a way of saying thanks for something nice that someone had done for you. Sometimes it was a way of expressing sympathy for someone who is grieving or hurting.

I don't think that's what we're talking about. What I need to know is, if I give you a blessing, what have I done for you? Or what do you think I've done for you? In one case, I've given my approval to something you want to do. When I proposed to my present wife, I went to her father to ask him for his blessing. I was asking for his okay.

Is saying "bless you" shorthand for "The Lord bless you"?

And Salty, bless your little pea-pickin' heart for starting this thread.

 

Thanks, Salty. That ought to get us off to a good start for a discussion.