Cheerfulness and Expression by Emma Marie Harris

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 1, 1916

Cheerfulness and Expression

By Emma Marie Harris

EMMA MARIE HARRIS

A cheerful spirit is a sunshiny one. No one denies the necessity and benefit of sunshine to our physical well-being. There are those who are willing to give decided testimony to that effect. “Twelve years ago,” says one writer, “I came to Camden to die.” But every day I went into the country, and bathed in the sunshine, lived with the birds and squirrels, and played in the water with the fishes. I received my health from nature.” “It is the unqualified result of all my experience with the sick,” said Florence Nightingale, “that second only to their need of fresh air is their need of light, that after a close room what most hurts them is a dark room, and that it is not only light but direct sunshine they want.”

Sunshine is necessary, and cheerfulness is necessary, for best results in our life work. “Be of good cheer,” was the admonition Jesus gave his disciples. It serves to lift the shadows cast by fear, and shed the light of hope into their hearts. Cheerfulness has an agreeable air when lacking direct expression, but and “the grand secret of a happy home lies in the expression of the affection you really have,” and no member of the family is so small that his influence is not felt.

A mother weighed down with grief and trouble, while passing from one room to another in the performance of household duties, was met in the doorway by her little Leila of four years, who stood with her sweet face, full of love and sympathy, uplifted to offer her mother a caress. Oh, the sweetness and the comfort of it for that burdened mother! In a few short years the little one was laid away, but memory holds for that mother no dearer treasure than this expression of her little daughter’s love. It is well said that “to love and to be loved is the greatest happiness of existence.”

The expression of the love of God for us was in the gift of his Son that we might be redeemed from sin and death and become his sons and daughters; and the coming of Jesus into the world was fittingly announced to the wondering shepherds upon the Judean plains by heaven’s own choristers, who joined heaven and earth in their song of rejoicing. Let us cultivate expression of love and praise to God, in song, for this is acceptable to him, for praise is comely; then shall we be better prepared to diffuse good cheer to our fellows, many of whom stand sadly in need of the help and encouragement in their conflicts with evil which we can give and be blessed in the giving.

Takoma Park, D. C.