296
Child Guidance
Though such a parade is made for visitors, anything is thought to be
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good enough for “only us.” A table against the wall, a cold meal placed
on it, with no effort to make it inviting, is too often seen. “Only for
us,” they say. “We can pick up anything.
Make the Mealtime a Pleasant Social Occasion—Mealtime
should be a season for social intercourse and refreshment. Every-
thing that can burden or irritate should be banished. Let trust and
kindliness and gratitude to the Giver of all good be cherished, and the
conversation will be cheerful, a pleasant flow of thought that will uplift
without wearying
The table is not a place where rebellion should be cultivated in the
children by some unreasonable course pursued by the parents. The
whole family should eat with gladness, with gratitude, remembering
that those who love and obey God will partake of the marriage supper
of the Lamb in the kingdom of God, and Jesus Himself will serve
them
Regularity in Eating—Irregularities in eating destroy the health-
ful tone of the digestive organs, to the detriment of health and cheer-
fulness
In no case should the meals be irregular. If dinner is eaten an hour
or two before the usual time, the stomach is unprepared for the new
burden; for it has not yet disposed of the food eaten at the previous
meal and has not vital force for the new work. Thus the system is
overtaxed.
Neither should the meals be delayed one or two hours, to suit
circumstances, or in order that a certain amount of work may be ac-
complished. The stomach calls for food at the time it is accustomed to
receive it. If that time is delayed, the vitality of the system decreases
and finally reaches so low an ebb that the appetite is entirely gone. If
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food is then taken, the stomach is unable to properly care for it. The
food cannot be converted into good blood. If all would eat at regular
periods, not tasting anything between meals, they would be ready for
24
Manuscript 1, 1876
.
25
Education, 206
.
26
Letter 19, 1892
.
27
The Ministry of Healing, 384
.