Obedience was one thing on which we insisted in the home. When we said “No” to some request, we meant it, and no amount of coaxing or begging would cause us to give in. A child soon learns the weaknesses and inconsistencies o f his parents, es pecially if they demand of him one thing and then let him go ahead and do what he had originally desired to do. Just because a child cries for candy, refuses milk, resists sleep, or insists on darting out in front of cars, it does not follow that he knows better than the adults in his life what is good for him. He needs guidance. Most children are not really happy when “ get ting away with something.” Even a rebellious child is bewildered and disturbed when always allowed to do as he pleases. Children feel more confident when definite standards and limits are set. Prayer is a basic reality in rearing a Christian family. The Bible says, “ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask' of God . . .” (James 1 :5). Perhaps few responsibilities require greater wisdom, and more prayer, than the successful rearing of children. We not only prayed for wisdom and guidance in our Quiet Time but never hesitated to let the children hear us pray—even hearing their names mentioned before God—whether during the table blessing or at the bedtime hour. One of the first ways in which a child learns of God is through prayer. A baby learns more than is often realized from the moth er’s prayers above its crib, from her voice, her eyes, and from her attitude toward spiritual reali ties. Many mature Christians can say, “ I gained most of my early concept of God from the tone of my parents’ voice as they read the Bible and prayed, from their sense o f perfect trust in the Heavenly Father, and from the ideals of righteousness which they practiced.” Children who have never heard their parents pray have been denied a rich heri tage. We have always tried to maintain a positive Christian home atmosphere. While television was not yet a problem when our boys were growing up, we found it desirable to practice selectivity and discretion with regard to radio programs and the books and magazines that we purchased and displayed in the home. Christian parents might well ponder the question of Hezekiah, “What have they seen in your house?” (II Kings 20:15). Not only what children and teenagers see at home, but
what they hear and read, and even the games they are given to play, have a determinative influence in their formative years. For this reason, playing cards and dice, among other things, do not adorn a truly Christian home. Just because our boys were minister’s sons, we never put them upon a pedestal and told them to be examples to others. We let them live active, normal lives like other boys, depending on prayer and the guidance given us by the Holy Spirit to help them through their problems. As they grew older and questions and conflicts arose, we en deavored to counsel wisely and then generally al lowed them to make their own decisions in terms of the background and training they had received. As one o f the side-benefits of being raised in a minister’s home, our boys were early introduced to the world of books, of people, of travel and of missions. This may be one reason why from the beginning they developed such a love for books and learning that schooling was always enjoyed. During their academic years the boys were hon ored and respected for their record and their stand. Each of them, in turn, was elected Student Body President o f his high school, demonstrating that Christian young people do not need to dance and enter into all the social life of a school in order to have positions of leadership and influence. As my husband and I look back on thirty-nine happy years of ministry, we thank God for the two splendid sons he has given us. As children, their consistent Christian lives and testimony among young people were always a help to our ministry. Now, having graduated from university and seminary, they have been called into minis tries of their own, one as a pastor, the other as a missionary. We could desire nothing more than that they should serve the Lord with their whole hearts. Like the Apostle John, we rejoice greatly that our children are found “walking in the truth” (II John 4). Mrs. Webster is the wife of Dr. Vance Webster, \pastor of the First Baptist Church, Eugene, Ore gon. She has two sons: Warren, who recently re turned to West Pakistan for a third term o f serv ice under C.B.F.M.S. and Marvin, who is pastor o f the University Baptist Church, Santa Cruz, California.
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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