Then may we not even put sorrow down as one of the secrets of happiness
in a true Christian home? This may seem at first thought a strange
suggestion. But there surely are homes that have passed through
experiences of affliction that have a deeper, richer, fuller joy now
than they had before the grief came. The sorrow sobered their
gladness, making it less hilarious, but no less sweet. Bereavement
drew all the home hearts closer together. The loss of one from the
circle made those that remained dearer to each other than before. The
tears became crystalline lenses through which faith saw more deeply
into heaven. Then in the sorrow Christ came nearer, entering more
really into the life of the home. Prayer has meant more since the dark
days. There has been a new fragrance of love in the household. There
are many homes whose present rich, deep, quiet happiness sorrow helped
to make.
But it is not in sorrow only that religion gives its benediction. It
makes all the happiness sweeter to have the assurance of God's love and
favor abiding in the household. Burdens are lighter because there is
One who shares them all. The morning prayer of the family, when all
bow together, makes the whole day fairer; and the evening prayer before
sleep, makes all feel safer for the night. Then religion inspires
unselfishness, thoughtfulness, the spirit of mutual helpfulness, of
burden-bearing, and serving, and thus enriches the home life.
Pages:
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173