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Q. How come home is the hardest place to practice my faith?

A. I used to actually think my family held me back spiritually. Now I see that God has given me at least one place where I can test how far I've come in this new life and relationship that He offers.

The home is the most difficult—and rewarding—place for any Christian to put his faith to work. It's much easier to be loving, faithful, and gentle with people we only see from time to time. Unfortunately, we can't fool the people who share our home.

I'd rather hear God speak through almost anyone but my wife or children. I can "take it" when He speaks through the minister, a friend, a book, or His Word. But to recognize God speaking through my wife's loving rebuke or suggestion takes a great deal more grace. Yet if God is to speak clearly, whom can He better use than the one who sees me most clearly, loves me most unreservedly, and understands my needs most deeply?

Give us an example.

Once when I'd been having a devotional time each morning (and my wife hadn't), I greeted her very irritably at the breakfast table. She had the Christian love to suggest that if this was all my "quiet time" was producing, I'd do better to spend the time in bed.

Going to work on the bus that morning, I saw how I'd been misusing that time in the morning by feeding my own self-righteousness. If I'd really been spending time in God's presence, it would have made me a different person at the breakfast table.

Bruce Larson has pastored churches in New York, Washington state and California.

Adapted from The Edge of Adventure (Word, 1974)

Prayer for the Week

O God, make me Exhibit A in my family of Your transforming power.

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