Accountability, again.

I met with a group of people last night. Some knew each other, others knew no one but me. They group is my "Committee of Concern" and once a year the committee evaluates me as part of my candidacy for ministry. The evaluation is an accountability session, really. I intentionally chose people for this committee who could lend perspective to me on the different areas of my life and who would bust me (out of love!) for anything that I needed to work on in my life.

It was hard to hear the positive stuff about my strengths. I still have to fight the urge to say, "That's nice of you to say that, but if you knew what was going on inside me..." Everything was said honestly and with love, so I have to learn to accept that people see me differently than I do myself. These folks also respect me enough to tell me the hard truth about areas for growth. We all worry about hurting a person's feelings when we criticize (even constructively), but they helped me with each point they raised. I do have things to work on. We all do!

I was held accountable last night for where I am in my life. I know that the people at that table are committed to my success for years to come. I am a better person for the experience. It is good to have people who will love you with all your strengths and weaknesses. I wish that all of us would choose to experience such a thing.