Parenting by the Book
STUDY 127
Text: Proverbs 15
30 November 2003
Dear Parents,
A HAPPY DISPOSITION IN LIFE
What is the general disposition of our children? Do they have a happy disposition or are they miserable in their outlook towards life?
A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.Proverbs 15:13
Let us take time to ponder this text carefully. Our children could be greatly helped if we attempt to apply this great truth in our parenting work.
THE NATURAL TENDENCY OF CHILDREN
Children enjoy being happy. Parents spend a lot of time to make their infants smile. The earlier years seem to be the happiest!
However, as time wears on, children tend to become unhappy. They learn to grumble. They learn how to be mean at times. They want their way and if thwarted they can even throw temper tantrums. What happened along the way? Why have the children lost the spark of joy in their young lives?
THE CULTIVATION OF A MERRY HEART
A “merry heart” may be described as a disposition towards life! A person can have a merry heart on a permanent basis! The personality of an individual can be marked by a “cheerful countenance”.
Certainly we do not want to see our children grow up morose in disposition. To have a heart filled with a sense of sorrow all the time is sad and unnecessary. If this ugly disposition is not dealt with promptly, the spirit of the person can indeed “be broken”. It would then be very much more difficult to help that person!
CULTIVATE A HAPPY HOME ENVIRONMENT
Let us look at another text that speaks of a merry heart. Let us be greatly encouraged by the following text.
All the days of the afflicted are evil,
But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.Proverbs 15:15
The person who manages to cultivate “a merry heart” is a truly greatly blessed individual! Happiness is compared to a feast that never ends! What steps would you take to help your children to cultivate “a merry heart?”
Our children learn how to be happy or sorrowful from the home environment especially. Let us be challenged to work at creating a happy home environment!
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie