| The Way of Victory |
Chapter 5 |
Page 7 |
“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” Here we find something in the lesson for the children. They ought to bless their mother. Children have a great deal to do with the happiness of their parents. They should not forget to be kind and loving to the mother and father who have done so much for them. There is a word here too for some husbands. They forget to praise their wives. One of the ways to make a home happy is for all its members to train themselves to speak pleasant and encouraging words the one to the other. In some homes scarcely a word of affection is ever spoken. Courteous to strangers, at home the love in their hearts seems to freeze, and only cold, snappy words are ever heard. No one thanks another for any kindness. Favours are received in silence. That is not the way the good wife and mother deserves to be treated. Let the children try this rule-rise up and fill their mother’s heart with joy. Let the silent, grumpy husband begin to praise his wife, say pleasant things to her, show her some of his love. Plenty of children, and husbands, too, pour out blessing and praise when the mother and wife is dead. But that is too late. It does her no good then. One loving word when she is living is worth more than a thousand words when she is dead. One flower brought home and put into her hand when the thoughtful act will give her cheer is better than a whole carriage-load of flowers piled upon her coffin.
Every woman wants to be beautiful. The secret of true beauty is stated in this chapter of Proverbs: “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” Some women sacrifice everything to win favour, to become popular. This word tells us how worthless, how empty and vain is the world’s favour. Nothing is worth striving for in womanhood but pure, noble, lovely character. That is gotten only by being a Christian, by loving God and doing His will, and staying near Him all the time. A good many people’s religion is not just like Jesus Christ’s religion. Yet everyone should try to be like Him. If we are, then we shall be beautiful. I have read about a girl, a boarder in a family, whom everybody seemed to be wanting all the time. The children wanted her to help them with their toys and play. The old people wanted her for this, and the young people for that. She had learned the true secret of favour. Can you find it ?
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