God used the wilderness to form Israel. It exposed what was inside them and taught them dependence, obedience, humility, and trust. That kind of discipleship can be uncomfortable because following Jesus means allowing Him to change us.

My parents didn’t raise me in a perfect home. They raised me in a home where they were following Jesus.  I saw my parents pray. I saw them read Scripture. I also saw them wrestle through real-life struggles. I saw what it looked like to depend on God when circumstances were difficult.

My mother especially made prayer and Scripture part of the atmosphere of our home. There were many times I would walk into her bedroom looking for her and find her praying or reading the Bible. Singing Scripture was normal for her. She would write Bible verses on pieces of cardstock and pin them around our home, on the refrigerator, in the bedrooms, and along the hallways. 

They weren’t polished decorations from a Christian store. Sometimes we wrote them out ourselves in our childhood handwriting, reflecting what we had heard and learned from Scripture.

The message was simple: “God’s Word belongs in our everyday lives.”

Families don’t need to pretend they have it all together. One of the most powerful things a parent can model is repentance. “I was wrong.” “Please forgive me.” “I need Jesus too.” Grace gives us permission to let our children see that we are still being discipled.

Try this today: Ask someone you trust, “What is one area where you think Jesus is growing me?” Listen without defending yourself.