Chapter 7: The Deeper Meaning of Marriage 4. Religion and Personal Character

A great practical contribution of religion at its best is in its tendency to produce in people those attitudes which make family life worthy and inspiring. In helping people to be upright, loyal, unselfish, patient, courageous, and also easier to live with, true religion aids in the development of the finest homemaking qualities.
These qualities are favorable to the continuance of mutual respect. At the time of marriage each has, of course, the full respect of the other and it is one of the most precious assets. If at any time mutual respect is damaged in any degree it must be reestablished as quickly and as fully as possible, because respect is a necessary ingredient in love.

William Lyon Phelps, a great teacher of young men, and a keen observer of family life, has said: "Since the greatest of all arts is the art of living together, and since the highest and most permanent happiness depends on it, and since the way to practice this art successfully lies through character, the all important question is how to obtain character. The surest way is through religion in the home." This is a most reasonable statement because religion which is the experience of the love of God in the home is a corrective for our faults and a means of strengthening our good points. The New Testament says: "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Here also we have great wisdom for family experience. It means that as we live together we cultivate the attitude of appreciation rather than criticism and learn to find the best in one another.

We know that there is a personal discipline which prepares the way for the highest achievements of the athlete or the musician. There is also a spiritual discipline which aids the highest living both in personal and in family experience. Commonplace living is easy, but the finest living calls for our very best in the home as in every other relationship.