8. Do you prevent your mother and other relatives from intrud ing unduly, and show courtesy and consideration to his rela tives? 9. Do you take a sympathetic and intelligent interest in his busi ness? 10. Do you cultivate an interest in his friends and recreations so you can be a satisfactory partner in his leisure activities? 11. Do you talk things through with him? 12. Do you encourage your hus band and your children in the things of the Lord? By testing your own actions and attitudes, you are in a sense praying the sage prayer of Scot land’s Robbie Burns: wO wad some pow9r the giftie gie ns To see oorsels as ithers see us." Socrates likewise believed the great achievement was to “ know thyself.” But in itself is this enough ? I’m sure you will agree with me that it is not enough just to get a “weather report” on the climate of our marriage and in our home. The only justification for finding out “what goes” is (like the couple who wrote for the test) so that we can do some thing about it.
If an honest evaluation has re vealed a need for improvement, then the next question should be, “What am I going to do about it?” Since God instituted marriage and the home, he is the One who knows all about it. He is the ulti mate “Marriage Counselor.” One o f Christ’s names given in Isaiah 9:6 is “Counselor.” He places the Bible in our hands not only as a road map to point us to heaven, but as a man ual of behavior while we’re on our way to heaven. God ordained that couples should be happy, and He pre scribed the formula for happi ness. I know of a pastor who never permits a couple to leave the altar on their wedding day without first sharing with them this for mula: “And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, un derstanding, loving-hearted), for giving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32, Amplified Bi ble) . Now that verse gives a code that if heeded and practiced, is guaranteed to assure a wonder ful measure o f success in family living. From How to Succeed in Family Liv ing) by Clyde M. Narramore. © Copy right 1968 G /L Publications, Glendale, California 91206. Published by Regal Books Division.
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