Family Decisions
Author: Robert A. Cook (1912-1991)
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice. (Gen. 18:19)
A young woman became concerned about the spiritual condition of her parents and her brother. They were all good, church-going people, but seemed to have no spiritual vitality. She began to pray about the matter and became convinced that, for her at least, having a daily quiet time would be the key to spiritual growth.
The young lady asked to use the family alarm clock. In return for the privilege, she promised to waken the rest of the family on time each morning. Then she arose half an hour before the others to meet quietly with her Lord. Before long, the rest of the family began to show interest in spiritual things. They began to pray and have their own devotions. The family became more and more spiritually minded and both children are now active in Christian service.
You may be your own family’s only source of spiritual teaching. This is true not only in the case of one believer in the midst of an unsaved family; it is also true in families where all profess faith in Christ. By this I mean that you may be the one person who can show by your example that a certain scriptural truth is both real and important.
Make family decisions, then, realizing that you are God’s instrument in your home. Family members will define what you really are by observing what you do.
Small thought here:
Your family is something uniquely yours. These are the people with whom God has placed you and to whom you belong. And it is a responsibility which cannot be evaded. Your family may be your number one mission field. Your conduct and choices may affect their relationship to Christ.
