As we get older we develop particular attributes and habits that are less than desirable. And we generally aren’t self-reflective enough to know that we have them. They just exist.
Then, at some point in many of our lives, we produce little us’s that function as mini-mirrors that do and say what we never noticed we say and do. It’s scary!
Adelaide dropped something from the table the other day and exclaimed, "crap!" I immediately turned to Dana and said, "where did she learn that?" Nearly instantly I dropped my fork and spouted, "crap!" When I realized what had just been revealed I was a nano-second from saying, "crap!" again, but caught myself. I went with "jeepers," except my rendition is more like "jeeeeeee-perrrs."
I could probably come up with far worse examples, but you get the picture. I am struck by our mini-sponges. They see and hear us. They are learning from us every day. Such a truth compels any biblical discussion of spiritual generations or discipleship to begin in our own homes. God has not just entrusted me with the responsibility of testifying on His behalf to my friends, co-workers, and neighbors but first to my family. In fact, my testimony will be ineffective to anyone else if I have not sufficiently lived out my faith within my own family.
This is why Joshua was resolute to say in Joshua 24:15, ". . . as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." He was aware of the influence his words and actions had on the mini-sponges in his house. We actually put Joshua’s words on the wall outside our children’s bedrooms. Each time I see them I am reminded that I do not live in a vacuum. My kids see and hear things that come out of me.
Will they see and hear me serving the Lord? That is my prayer (and hopefully my life).