"He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

A single cough made Keith look up from his computer monitor. "Steve! Come in."

Steve eased his lanky frame into a chair by the pastor's desk. "You're surprised to see me, aren't you?" he nervously joked.

"Delighted." But Keith's forehead bore a crease of concern. "How are Sara and the kids?"

"They're fine. Nothing's wrong."

"Then what can I do for you?" Keith asked.

"Tell me how I can become a Christian." The abrupt sentence caught Keith off guard. Sara, Steve's wife, was a devoted Christian. She had asked her Bible study group to pray for Steve's salvation regularly over the last 10 years, but with no apparent results.

Sometimes Sara made the difficult decision to forfeit her attendance at church functions because Steve didn't want her to go. Other times, he reluctantly came with her to special events like the children's program. Keith knew it wasn't easy.

"What has led you to this point?" Keith asked.

"It's Sara," Steve admitted. "Sara could have so easily pushed her religion down my throat and fussed at me for not setting a better example to the children in church attendance. Instead, she's patiently been an example of how a Christian lives and reacts to life. Our family has been fractured by my obstiancy for too long. I'm ready to change, and I know I need Jesus."

Keith opened his Bible. "I can hardly wait to see Sara's face."

Steve grinned. "Me too."

Inviting our unsaved family to church, giving our personal testimony or explaining how to become a Christain are all important ways to witness. However, if our lives don't match our words, our efforts to win our loved ones to Christ are futile. First commit yourself to a holy, blamesless life that demonstrates Christ's power in you life. Pray daily for loved ones' salvation. Finally, never give up. You may never know how you godly life is inwardly impacting the lives of those you touch.

Steps of faith

Lord, I pray You will do whatever is within Your power to help my loved ones accept You as their Savior. Help me to be patient, trusting You for the results.