Who are you when no one is watchingWhen it comes to Christian character, it all boils down to who you are when no one is watching.

We are all masters at putting our best foot forward when in the presence of others; however we tend to let our “best behaviors” slide at home. True?

You have probably heard the phrase, “If Mom ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”

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The truth is your attitude permeates your home.

If you had a guest who lived with you all the time and sometimes you didn’t even realize he was there, what would he say of you?

That happened to my mother. She had a young adult – a missionary kid – living with her for about six months.

Here is what John wrote to his mother on Christmas day several years ago about Margaret, my mother:

“Margaret was telling me that she had gotten married on Christmas day!  (Author’s note: This is significant because her husband deserted her 13 years after they were married. So the anniversary day would have held some sadness to her – which, in this case, was every Christmas day.)

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Wow . . . she is amazing . . . always keeping in good spirits, thanking the Lord without ceasing and always with a smile on her face even amidst tears . . . I am so blessed to witness what an angel in heaven will look like.

Saint, the word saint, truly falls short.

What I say counts because I see her every day . . . even when she can’t hear me come in and I walk to find her singing her old hymns at the top of her lungs.

Or she is “waiting on the Lord” (that’s what she calls pacing around the house uttering words of intercession for whomever God has laid on her heart that day.)

As she sat in her little chair looking out in expectation for the company to arrive, she couldn’t hold back the tears about her brother-in-law who had just called her after years of never responding to her cards or letters.

‘Our God is so good’ is all that she could muster up in her fragile little voice once she got off the line. Selfishly I would say that I wish she stayed with us for many years, but I know that she is so ready for heaven.  I can’t wait to hear about her reception into the Father’s arms.

I’m telling you . . . hero of the faith, one whom this world is not even worthy of . . . is Margaret.”

Thank you, John, for sharing that.

This is the story of a life that is finishing well.

This is a great reminder to us to be holy in all we do and say – whether or not someone is watching.

Your child will model your actions
Photo source: Phil Scoville Creative Commons

And usually, there IS someone watching . . . even if they are just two years old . . . they are watching you.

You will perpetuate in your children how you live and respond to life’s trials whether you realize it or not.

Paul sums up Christian living by example in Philippians 4:9, “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (NASB)

Who do you know who has modeled Christian character like this to you?

Photo Source: Microsoft Free Images

First published: April 2013

Updated: August 2019