My Life Today

Loving Thoughtfulness in the Home, June 18

Roads to Happiness That Are Never Closed

If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:12. ML 173.1

Make your home atmosphere fragrant with tender thoughtfulness.^{56Letter 18b, 1891.} ML 173.2

Home is to be the center of the purest and most elevated affection. Peace, harmony, affection, and happiness should be perseveringly cherished every day, until these precious things abide in the hearts of those who compose the family.^{57The Signs of the Times, June 20, 1911 (The Signs of the Times, November 14, 1892).} ML 173.3

The reason there are so many hardhearted men and women in our world is that true affection has been regarded as weakness and has been discouraged and repressed. The better part of the nature of persons of this class was perverted and dwarfed in childhood, and unless rays of divine light can melt away their coldness and hardhearted selfishness, the happiness of such is buried forever. If we would have tender hearts, such as Jesus had when He was upon the earth, and sanctified sympathy, such as the angels have for sinful mortals, we must cultivate the sympathies of childhood, which are simplicity itself.^{58Testimonies for the Church 3:539.} ML 173.4

Commend your children whenever you can. Make their lives as happy as possible.... Keep the soil of the heart mellow by the manifestation of love and affection, thus preparing it for the seed of truth.... The Lord gives the earth not only clouds and rain but the beautiful, smiling sunshine, causing the seed to germinate and the blossoms to appear.^{59Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 114.} ML 173.5

An approving glance, a word of encouragement or commendation, will be like sunshine in their hearts, often making the whole day happy.^{60The Ministry of Healing, 388.} ML 173.6

The happiness of husband and children should be more sacred to every wife and mother than that of all others.^{61Testimonies for the Church 1:465.} ML 173.7