Of all the t-shirts I own, this is one of my favorites even though I can’t say I’ve ever worn it out of the house.  If anything, it’s one of those shirts that means so much there’s no chance I’m wearing it to the gym.

Five years ago, Laura and I were going through Premarital Counseling with an amazing couple, Carol and Mark Hernandez.  They prayed with us, poured into us, facilitated great conversations and loved us through the ups and downs of the torturous season known as engagement.  Right before our wedding, they gave both of us a t-shirt that simply said Team McGowan.  The point was simple – our lives were about to be joined together and we needed to remember that we were a team.

On the eve of my wedding, I didn’t understand how profound the phrase Team McGowan would become in my life and our marriage.  I was totally in love with this girl, she had agreed to spend the rest of her life with me and I figured operating as a team would always be obvious.  Not true.  If anything, I’m amazed by just how quickly our sinful flesh forgets we’re a team.  It doesn’t matter whether it’s taking care of the house, running errands, raising kids, planting a church or navigating the daily ins and outs of life, it can be easy to forget your marriage is the most intimate and important team you’ll ever join.

Genesis 1:24 says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”  I love that ESV translates the word “cleave” as “hold fast.”  That’s such a good picture of marriage at times, especially when things are hard.  Hold fast.  Be a team.  Don’t turn on one another.  Help one another.  Lift one another.  Encourage one another.  Pray with and for one another.  You’re a team.