194
Daughters of God
You have now to meet in your children your own defects of character.
Remember that if you speak harshly, you are giving them an example
that they will learn to imitate. Sooner or later they will act toward
you in the same harsh manner in which you have acted toward them,
because in the home life you have set before them a wrong example.
Is it not time for you to take up your neglected duties, and try to
please your husband and to train your children aright? My sister, the
best thing you can do is to confess your mistakes to your husband
and to your children. Tell the children that the harsh, rough spirit
which you have cultivated is un-Christlike. Then say, “Children, by
the strength and grace that Christ gives us, we will now make a decided
change.” Ask them to help you. Promise that you will help them.
Christ is ready to teach the father and the mother to be true educa-
tors. Those who learn in His school will never strike a child in passion.
They will never speak in a harsh, unsympathetic tone; for words spo-
ken in this manner grate upon the ear, wear upon the nerves, cause
mental suffering, and create a state of mind that makes it impossible
to curb the temper of the child to whom such words are spoken. This
[208]
is often the reason children speak disrespectfully to parents.
Remember that children have rights which must be respected. Your
self-will is very strong. You have given this trait of character to your
children. You may be busy from morning till night, and yet fail of
doing the work that God has appointed you to do. You need to act the
part of a mother in guiding and training your little flock....
My dear sister, you are in need of divine help. You must wear
Christ’s yoke yourself before you can properly teach your children
that they are to give their hearts to Jesus. That you may be fitted to
do this work, seek for God’s special blessing. Let the Holy Spirit
abide in your heart, making it a wellspring of love and joy. Pray most
earnestly for a meek and quiet spirit. In the spirit of meekness, seek
daily for God’s blessing. If you daily receive blessings from above,
you will be refreshed and will impart to your children that which you
have received. And as your disposition and character change, you will
have a beneficial influence over the disposition and character of your
children.—
Letter 47a, 1902
.