Thankful Thursday - What is Mentoring?

Identify in your mind one or two good memories that stand out from all others in your childhood. What do you remember the most about going to church or attending Sunday School when you were a child?

As we think about the defining moments of our life most often they focus on a person or several people. Maybe it was a Sunday School teacher, a pastor, a teacher in school or professor in college. We all have people in our lives who we are eternally grateful for what they have invested into our life.

Christian mentors are people who have a spiritual commitment. They are committed to life change. High on their priority list is the development of excellence in another individual so that the individual grows in her Christian life.

All of us need mentors who are mature in Christ. People who have been through life's experiences. Someone who is willing to share not only their strengths, but also their weaknesses. Someone who is willing to share their successes and failures. Mentoring is the process of learning from those who have traveled the road before us, the encouragement and sharpening from those alongside us and the reproducing of ourselves in younger women.

Clearly, one the greatest models of mentoring and disciple making is that of our Lord Jesus Christ. He chose twelve men from various walks of life and discipled them into becoming the foundation of the church. Even though one of them betrayed Jesus, eleven disciples remained faithful and became great examples to all of what investment in one's life can produce. Jesus saw in each disciple who they could become. He spent quality time with them. They hung out together. He encouraged them and prayed for them. He taught them God's Word. Jesus invested Himself into these men.

Mentoring is one of my favorite things I do in ministry. I have facilitated mentorship

groups in our church for over eight years. I love spending time with the ladies in the groups. They speak into my life as much as I speak into theirs. Also, the mentoring relationship is about multiplication. The investment never ends with the depth of the people involved in the relationship, but continues to build and multiply as the mentoree speaks into the lives of others.

We all need someone in our lives who we can always count on if we need them. I am so thankful that I can call upon individuals who will listen to me, who will pray for me and encourage me. These ladies are Godly influences in my life who have made themselves available to me. I am so grateful for their friendship and commitment.

Thanks to Iris today at Grace Alone for hosting Thankful Thursday.
Blessings!