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Family United by Bonds of Love, June 24
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of
kindness.
Proverbs 31:26
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Whenever the mother can speak a word of commendation for the good conduct
of her children, she should do so. She should encourage them by words of approval
and looks of love. These will be as sunshine to the heart of a child and will lead to
the cultivation of self-respect and pride of character....
Children have sensitive, loving natures. They are easily pleased and easily
made unhappy. By gentle discipline in loving words and acts, mothers may
bind their children to their hearts. To manifest severity and to be exacting with
children are great mistakes. Uniform firmness and unimpassioned control are
necessary to the discipline of every family. Say what you mean calmly, move with
consideration, and carry out what you say without deviation.
It will pay to manifest affection in your association with your children. Do
not repel them by lack of sympathy in their childish sports, joys, and griefs.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:532
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Infant children are a mirror for the mother, in which she may see reflected her
own habits and deportment, and may trace even the tones of her own voice. How
careful then should be her language and behavior in the presence of these little
learners who take her for an example. If she wishes them to be gentle in manners
and tractable, she must cultivate those traits in herself.
When children love and repose confidence in their mother, and have become
obedient to her, they have been taught the first lessons in becoming Christians....
In view of the individual responsibility of mothers, every woman should
develop a well-balanced mind and pure character, reflecting only the true, the
good, and the beautiful. The wife and mother may bind her husband and children to
her heart by an unremitting love, shown in gentle words and courteous deportment,
which, as a rule, will be copied by her children.
Politeness is cheap, but it has power to soften natures which would grow hard
and rough without it. Christian politeness should reign in every household. The
cultivation of a uniform courtesy, and a willingness to do by others as we would
like them to do by us, would annihilate half the ills of life. The principle inculcated
in the injunction, “Be kindly affectioned one to another,” is the cornerstone of
the Christian character.... Christian courtesy is the golden clasp which unites
the members of the family in bonds of love, becoming closer and stronger every
day.—
The Health Reformer, August, 1877
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