Habit #2: I will grow with good people
Many people run headlong into marriage without ever having experienced or sustained any significant long-term healthy, God-centered relationships. Maybe you've spent your single years hanging with (partying with, identifying with, sleeping with) people you KNOW would make disastrous marriage partners. And yet I can't tell you how many young couples stand at the altar with exactly those scenarios on their marriage-candidate resumes.
Your single years are an irreplaceable opportunity to prepare yourself relationally for a fulfilling and enduring marriage. Make the most of them.
Develop the second habit of love with the commitment: "I will grow with good people."
When I say "good people", by the way, I'm not saying you should only spend time wtih anemic greenhouse saints who spend every weekend fasting and praying int eh church basement. What I mean instead is that you should surround yourself, and especially take as your mentors, those poeple who are obviously of sound character, who encourage you to be honest about your struggles, who love God and put Him first, and who will help you get where you need to go.
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When couples ask, "Craig, do you think we should marry?"
I always check into their other relationships. Iw ant to see if both have close, same sex friends. Have they learned to work through family conflict? I'm excited when they have mentors and accountability relationships. Your working patterns today will make your marriage work tomorrow.
- pages 188-191, Going All The Way - Craig Groeschel
