It
All Starts at Home
15
Ways to Put Family First
By
Larry C. Harris, M.D., Cecil Murphey
"God
first, family second, and yourself third." Ruth Harris
Author
Larry C. Harris is the second of Fred and Ruth's nine children.
Except for a stopover in Germany, he grew up in pre-civil rights
Fayetteville, North Carolina, where his father served in the US
Army. It All Starts at Home: 15 Ways to Put Family First
is more than a tribute to Dr. Harris' parents; this book sets forth
a model for how to raise a loving family.
The
author's experiences have shown him that children will follow their
parents' lead. A father who takes on any honest labor-change to
job in order to care for his own teaches the value of honest labor
and responsibility. A mother who lives the Gospel she teaches shows
her children how to honor God, respect add others, and the joy of
helping others-change to giving. Parents who support each other
and defend their children-change to offspring raise children who
stand up for each other.
Dr.
Harris's best friends are his family members, and with his siblings'
blessing, the author uses childhood anecdotes to illustrate his
family's values. When one brother faced financial difficulties,
he willingly helped his brother reach solvency. When another brother
needed a kidney, every sibling offered theirs; the brother who donated
graciously risked his career for his sibling. Wouldn't you love
your children to be that dedicated to each other?
Though
the entire work is filled with excellent, easy-to-emulate behaviors,
the last one merits special attention. "You're as good as anybody
else. No one is inferior." Words every human should remember
to live by.
This
man walks the walk as well as talks the talk. He doesn't attempt
to shove his parents' methods down readers' throats, but rather
tells his family's story in a straightforward manner. He readily
confesses his own errors--read the story in which he took his mother's
permission to defend himself to inappropriate heights. In a time
when the existence of family values seems endangered, Dr. Harris's
fresh, new voice inspires hope. If you want to give your children
a better present and a brighter future, heed his call!
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