Marriage Accountability Results In Healing

(This blog post is written by Cheri Blair, who is one of our LifeGroup leaders at the Northwest campus. She also writes a blog for the Metro Family Magazine website called Perspectives from a Christian Mom, which you can read at this link: http://www.metrofamilymagazine.com/perspectives-from-a-christian-mom)

by Cheri Blair

Every week I become more amazed at the work God is doing in the lives of our marriage accountability group.  It’s been just two and a half months, but in that time, I have seen couples’ love and enjoyment of each other grow, friendships blossom, healing in hearts and relationships, and total transformations by “the renewing of their minds” by the Truth! Our group has begun resembling the church described in the book of Acts where the needs of the saints were being met by the body of Christ. 

A couple of weeks ago, a couple in our group was in several crises all at once. Life had become overwhelming for them. The Lord prompted our group to do something to just encourage and lighten their load for the present time. Gifts of money and services were given to bless this couple. It was awesome to see the generous, loving hearts of these people…willing to go above and beyond to show this couple that we love them, that God will care for them, and that He’s given us to one another to be a tangible expression of His love. 

Just this week, a couple in our group was used by God to meet a need that no one else could have! More proof that God wants us to operate as His body, meeting the needs of the body, within the body. Romans 12:4-8 describes how there are many members of the body but each member has a different function. We are many members, but one body in Christ. Each of us has something different and unique to offer as a gift to our group and we are all blessed by one another. We are laughing and crying together including the men, learning truths to set us free, and sharing in the blessings He is teaching each of us for the building up of the body. God is showing us how to be His church…His hands and feet to transform lives.

 Here are a few comments from members of our group on why and how this marriage accountability group has benefitted them:

“There are several benefits to joining a marriage enrichment group. I believe the support and knowing that on the outside, we may appear that we have it all together, but truly there is no perfect marriage. So a person feels at ease when they hear that others have experienced road blocks too…it’s okay. It helps to get through it by putting God first, praying, and building a network of friendships that love you for who you are. People who don’t pass judgment, but encourage and pray for each other. The is what is the most meaningful for me.”   

“We have been married for 10 years and our marriage group has been such a blessing. God has brought His people together for a safe place for me to learn to become a better wife. I can’t wait to see what he has for us to learn or for how we will be able to help each other. God is good all the time.”  

“It is just what my husband and I needed to give us the support and encouragement to keep trying and keeping fighting for our marriage. It has been support in many other ways that I never imagined! We desperately needed this in our lives.” 

As the facilitator of this group, I would like to encourage anyone who believes they need to be a part of a group like this to pray and consider letting God use you to connect people to God and each other….to be the body of Christ.  My husband and

I have found it to be one of the most meaningful and fulfilling things we have ever done together. When you partner with God in what He wants to do in others lives, you can’t help but be blessed beyond measure!

About Cheri Blair: A native of Oklahoma City, Cheri Blair has been married to Tim for 22 years and together they have six children—three boys and three girls ranging in age from five to twenty. Three of the kids are now in public school, two are homeschooled and the oldest is in college. Adding to life’s challenges, one of the children is autistic or on the autism spectrum. Cheri’s ultimate passion is to know Christ and share her experiences and love of God with others. She also loves to write and hopes to someday publish books in her spare time.