CHRISTIAN HOMES
by Dr. W. Robert Smith
I T IS important for all of us to real ize that there are certain ingredi ents which are essential to a well- balanced life. These are work, play, love and worship. Regardless of our age, social standing, political persua sion, or denominational affiliation, everyone must realize that as a crea tion of God these things are vital ne cessities. Too often, however, work becomes drudgery, play becomes fri volity, love turns to lust, and worship to ritual or self-styled piety. Then people wonder why their lives turn “sour.” The goal of all too many people is selfishly motivated in a desire for fame, riches, personal beauty, suc cess, or some other aspect of life. In themselves, apart from Christ, these things can never really satisfy. The interplay of these four, work, love and worship, with a life devoted to the Saviour, brings a contentment about which the world knows abso lutely nothing. With these ingredi ents in their proper perspective life can be joyful despite pain, sorrow, or even bitter failure. Without them, however, men lapse into that which is lower than animalism. We should maintain such a vital relationship with the Lord that even while we are working or playing we will be so close to worship that at any moment, despite our secular habits, we may be in touch with God. If we are to have a happy Christian home, we must be able to blend together all of these important essentials. Perhaps more than anything else we need to see the relationship be tween what has become the drudgery of every-day tasks in the perspective of the kingdom of our Lord. As mothers and fathers we are engaged in a great and glorious calling. We have the power to create, by the guid ance of the Holy Spirit, our children
in the image of God. Ask yourself, “Do I so show the radiance of Christ- likeness so that my children want to love Him? Too often parents are more concerned about the pride of their youngsters’ achievements (or their lack of them). The heighth of tragedy, I feel, is when these precious boys and girls become the pawn between a bickering father and mother. Instead of recog nizing their place in the great eter- B U T T H I S I K N O W I know not why life gives to some A lonely task to do; I only know Christ walked alone, And He was lonely, too. I know not why the day must fade, And darken Into night; I only know I can see Christ Sublime in morning light. I know not where the hard years lead Nor If the end be now; I only know the Lord Christ's hand Is tender on my brow. But this I know, beyond all doubt,— Of life, or death he send,— The tranquil heart still knows its Christ Is steadfast to the end. — George Hill Evans nal kingdom of God these two have now declared open war, and only the pliable, plastic life of the child can be the real loser. We need to recog nize humbly this sin before the Lord asking Him to forgive us. We need to seek understanding concerning the great values of life as we faithfully do our tasks as unto Christ. We need to learn to bear one another’s bur dens with a sincere and Godly com passion for the needs of others. It is well said that the family that plays together usually stays together. There is a need for wholesome recrea- 13
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