Happy, Successful Partnership
75
no sharpness to come into your voices. Bring into your united life the
fragrance of Christlikeness
Express Love in Words and Deeds—There are many who regard
the expression of love as a weakness, and they maintain a reserve
that repels others. This spirit checks the current of sympathy. As
the social and generous impulses are repressed, they wither, and the
heart becomes desolate and cold. We should beware of this error.
Love cannot long exist without expression. Let not the heart of one
connected with you starve for the want of kindness and sympathy....
Let each give love rather than exact it. Cultivate that which is
noblest in yourselves, and be quick to recognize the good qualities
in each other. The consciousness of being appreciated is a wonderful
stimulus and satisfaction. Sympathy and respect encourage the striving
after excellence, and love itself increases as it stimulates to nobler
aims
The reason there are so many hardhearted men and women in our
world is that true affection has been regarded as weakness and has been
[108]
discouraged and repressed. The better part of the nature of persons of
this class was perverted and dwarfed in childhood; and unless rays of
divine light can melt away their coldness and hardhearted selfishness,
the happiness of such is buried forever. If we would have tender
hearts, such as Jesus had when He was upon the earth, and sanctified
sympathy, such as the angels have for sinful mortals, we must cultivate
the sympathies of childhood, which are simplicity itself. Then we
shall be refined, elevated, and directed by heavenly principles
Too many cares and burdens are brought into our families, and
too little of natural simplicity and peace and happiness is cherished.
There should be less care for what the outside world will say and more
thoughtful attention to the members of the family circle. There should
be less display and affectation of worldly politeness, and much more
tenderness and love, cheerfulness and Christian courtesy, among the
members of the household. Many need to learn how to make home
attractive, a place of enjoyment. Thankful hearts and kind looks are
8
Testimonies For The Church 7, 47
.
9
The Ministry of Healing, 360, 361
.
10
Testimonies For The Church 3, 539
.