people I address tell me what my words have meant to them. Some
even write and say that God has used me to change their lives. Then
I come home and often my behavior on the home front is a total flop.
In fact I sometimes wonder what those audiences would think of me
if they could see my messy dresser drawers or my dirty car. How in-
spired would they be to hear my short-tempered responses or see my
self-centered choices?
The psalmist acknowledged in Psalm 101 his yearning to “lead a
blameless life.” But he also acknowledged to God in prayer how dif-
ficult this is to do, especially at home.
Why is this? At home our guard comes down. Our masks come
off. The real “us” comes oozing through the cracks in our carefully
constructed cover-up. Out there in the world we can keep up the
charade, but only as long as we’re not expected to do it indefinitely.
At home our families come face-to-face with who we really are.
Perhaps Psalm 101:2 is a prayer you need to pray. I know I do.
On my knees before my Father in heaven I ask that I may have only
one dimension to my personality—only one me. That whether I am
at home with my family or with a group of women to whom I am
ministering, I may walk a blameless path.
Oh, Father, help me to access your grace in order to become the best
that I can be in my own home. Thank you for the family you have
given me. Thank you for the times that they have loved me in spite
of myself. Give me your grace to love them, too. May this home be
one of mercy. Amen.164 CLAIRECLONINGER