This past weekend, I went back to Johnston County and began premarital counseling with a couple for a June wedding. Whenever I counsel a couple, I remember my wedding day and the vows Karen and I made to each other. Many times, I’ll use personal examples of how we relate together and blend our families in our marriage and parenting. I also shared with this couple that what we experience growing up as children we tend to repeat in our relationships as a spouse or a parent. Both Karen and I were blessed with wonderful Christian parents who were great examples for us to follow, but we have made some conscious choices on how we wanted our home to be for our relationship and family. Part of this for me was to give Karen permission to hold me accountable on a few things that I felt I might fall into just because of my personality. To her credit, she has always done that with great love and not in the heat of the moment, so I’ve been ready to receive it from her.

As in marriage, Christians are called to love one another enough to hold each other accountable and to seek counsel for vulnerable areas. I’ve had a number of accountability partners in my ministry – fellow pastors or leaders I have been open with and given freedom to speak into my life. I encourage all of you to seek out these relationships and let them be a discipline in your life as you grow to become more like Christ.