First comes God, then comes marriage...

Well, it sounds a little like that old children's poem, except God comes first :)

Anyway, this posting is the result of my wonderful wife and I going to see the Minister of Marriage and Family Enrichment at our church. No, nothing's wrong. We just wanted to make sure that we're keeping everything in it's proper perspective and seek advice to help us grow as a couple.

Balancing the stress and pressures of work, homelife, kids, Sunday school class and my calling to ministry can be a very difficult job. Diana and I talked to Rodney about life, separating ministry from our daily lifes and how to, for lack of a better term, disconnect the two.

Rodney told us that we have to be able to be compassionate, while at the same time being able to "leave it at the door". Making the time for our spouses is of vital importance as is the ability to be able to "not be all things to all people" and to gently let people know where your priorities are.

He said that Jesus set a good example for us. He accomplished what God had intended for Him to do. He retreated from the crowds and spent time alone with God as well as a few close disciples.

God needs to come first in our marriage, then our spouses, then children, then ministry and others.

It's getting late, so I'm not sure if this is sounding like it should. I may have to edit it in the morning.