Peace In the Home by Dr. J.T. Parish

Presidential election years have been called “The silly season”. This one could be well called “The angry season.” I don’t remember ever seeing our country to divided with so much mean spirited language and rudeness displayed almost everywhere.

Blessed is the person who has peace in his own heart and can go home each day to a family that lives in peace and harmony and an atmosphere of love. The saddest of all is that there are many who find no refuge anywhere for their home is like a war zone. One man said he called his wife “Angel” because she was always up in the air harping about something. One little boy said his family’s house did not have a den for his father “growled all over the house.”

Life is much too short for us to be unkind to one another – especially our own family. A family may have a dispute at the breakfast table and one member goes out angry and becomes involved in a fatal accident. The others lament, “The argument was over such a trivial matter! If we had only known we would never have seen him alive again!”

Emerson said it so well, “You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.” The Bible tells us what to do. “Let all bitterness and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice, as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.” (Eph. 4:31-32)

When you are tempted to be cross, unkind, or critical, think about this verse in Fanny Crosby’s hymn, “Rescue the Perishing”.

“Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter, feelings lie buried, that Grace can restore. Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness, chords that are broken, will vibrate once more.”

Practice the Golden Rule everywhere, and let it begin at home.