Franziska Notes
No.6/11 November 2009
No.6/11 November 2009
November is a month for the final harvest of the fields. Even in the Southern Hemisphere there are feasts of Thanksgiving for the good things we receive from the earth. Mother Franziska recognized gratitude as one of the most important virtues. Grateful people are humble and kind. Many are lamenting the loss of simple courtesy in social interaction. We notice that the media is now allowing more suggestive language than ever before. Insults make up a great portion of comedy routines. World leaders, even those that lead our own country are described by the coarsest adjectives. Parents do not seem to realize that while venting their anger at politicians they are modeling behavior for their children to use against all authority figures and that eventually they will be the objects of this learned disrespect.
In Mother Franziska’s day the social classes were very distinct so it was remarkable that she showed the same respect to the Emperor as to a servant girl or child. She saw every human being vested in the dignity of a child of God. Her love of God the Father would not allow careless or cruel language for any of His children. Today parents read books about raising their children’s self-esteem. Those in the work force receive courses in polite interaction in order to assure the company’s profits. There was a time when this was learned from early childhood. Children felt secure and had a good self-image because of the consistent kindness and forgiveness that was the fabric of family living. There was relative peace in the workplace because one did not have to fear a “put-down” at every question.
We encounter dozens of God’s children in our ordinary daily actions. If they each receive a smile and a kind word, we are giving them an intuitive reason for thinking the world is ruled by a loving God. We are giving hope, spreading joy and ultimately pointing to heaven.
In Mother Franziska’s day the social classes were very distinct so it was remarkable that she showed the same respect to the Emperor as to a servant girl or child. She saw every human being vested in the dignity of a child of God. Her love of God the Father would not allow careless or cruel language for any of His children. Today parents read books about raising their children’s self-esteem. Those in the work force receive courses in polite interaction in order to assure the company’s profits. There was a time when this was learned from early childhood. Children felt secure and had a good self-image because of the consistent kindness and forgiveness that was the fabric of family living. There was relative peace in the workplace because one did not have to fear a “put-down” at every question.
We encounter dozens of God’s children in our ordinary daily actions. If they each receive a smile and a kind word, we are giving them an intuitive reason for thinking the world is ruled by a loving God. We are giving hope, spreading joy and ultimately pointing to heaven.
