On Edge

Altogether too many of us our living on edge. The symptoms of the pressure and impatience are all around us. And as parents perhaps we often lose our tempers and jump at our children and say things we didn’t intend to say. Sometimes when we are in an easy mood, even their flagrant errors may not be noted. But if we are on edge, even their normal activities may bring impatience and penalties. Too often our discipline is prompted more by how we feel than by what they do. It isn’t that the youngsters don’t deserve discipline. It wouldn’t be good for them if they weren’t corrected when correction is called for. They must expect to pay the penalties of their own mistakes. But they shouldn’t have to pay for ours also. They shouldn’t have to pay an extra penalty because our nerves are on edge, any more than a defendant in court should have to pay for something that didn’t agree with the judge. And there’s another factor in this equation—the factor of example: If we flare up when the occasion doesn’t call for it, how can we correct them convincingly when they flare up at others for small cause? If we are too quick to criticize, how can we teach them that they shouldn’t be critical, touchy, and quick-tempered. But when you have a round with one of your children, when you have said some things you didn’t intend to say and were more severe than the situation called for, have you ever gone back and looked at that same youngster when he was asleep, and felt terribly humble and terribly small? And, with a little extra moisture in your eyes have you ever uttered a grateful prayer that you had him and prayed that he would be preserved, and that you would be the kind of parent you ought to be? These mellowing moods are good for the soul. And if we would remember them when next we are tempted to speak too sharply or to judge too quickly or to act too hastily, we could save ourselves many apologies and much repentance and could have more influence with our families and friends, and a larger place in their hearts, and our words would have more weight.