“Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.”  Psalm 145:4

Jorge set the faded photo aside and slumped into his chair. The somber eyes of his five children gazed at him from the dated photograph, witnesses of his misdirected zeal. Those faces were eternal reminders of the ball games he had missed and the late-night talks he had forfeited. His wife had found another man and none of his five children were walking with the Lord. What had they seen in him that turned them cold? Forty years on the mission field. How could he have been so blind? How could he have poured his heart and soul into building a church in Zambia, but neglected to nurture the church inside his own house? What had he really served for forty years—the Lord or his own ambitions?

It’s easy to confuse the two. Praise and recognition are strong motivators and if we’re not honest with ourselves, we can wear two suits cut from different fabric. We slip into our “Ministry” suit when we’re being seen and admired by others, but we slide into the ratty “Real-life” sweats the rest of the time. Such hypocrisy is a splash of ice water to children who watch the garment changes. They see who we really are and learn one of two things: either Jesus is worth everything or He’s only good for showing off. Our foremost ministry is in our homes: our families need to see no difference between what we say and how we act. Our true relationship with the Lord will be evident no matter what we’re doing. When we include Jesus and His word in everything we do, our children are more likely to follow Him too.

Final Thought:  Have you considered your home to be your greatest mission field? Check your heart closet for two suits.  

Prayer: Father, I see many ways that I have failed to model for my family what a true relationship with you looks like. As I grow, help me to take them along. Give me courage to tell them often about all you’re doing in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.