Sister/Sister

I am participating in a meme today called At The Well. This meme has started by Chelsea over at Joyfully Living For His Glory.  She has a wonderful blog. If you get a chance check it out.  Each Monday a group of ladies post about certain biblical topics that would help to draw them into a deeper relationship with the Lord. Laurie at Women Taking A Stand is todays host.  The topic she chose to explore further is mentoring.

• Have you ever been mentored by someone?
• What characteristics do you look for in a mentor?
• How do you go about pursuing a Godly mentoring relationship?

First, I would have to say, yes, I have been mentored.  My biggest, greatest and most wonderful mentor has been my mom.  She has been along side me my whole life.  She was at my bedside, in the hospital, when I was deathly ill.  She has held my hand as each of my babies entered this world.  When I need counsel, I talk to her and I listen for the wisdom she has gained over the years from raising 5 children of her own. 

The characteristics I would look for in a mentor:

• a lady who exhibits a meek and quiet spirit
• a woman who studies Gods word faithfully
• a lady who is a prayer warrior
• a woman who has experience in life and looks to God through each trial
• a lady who's eyes shine with the love of Jesus

"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness,...That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."  Titus 2:3-5

I am mentoring two young ladies that attend the same church as I do.  I have known them for 9 years.  Over the years I have become very close to each of them.  I have taken the time over the years to do special things with each of them.  Having them over to my house, spending time doing craft projects or just having a snack, pop and a talk.  I think to pursue a mentoring relationship with a young lady or another woman you have to surround yourself and them in prayer.  First of all you need to know with certainty that this is what God wants for both of you.  Secondly, prayer can open hearts and make them ready to receive instruction or wisdom.  And it can fill the mentors heart and mouth with knowledge, kind words,  and understanding.  Sometimes as a mentor the only thing you can do is pray.  I am in that place with one of the young ladies.  She is really struggling right now and has told me she wishes to work things out on her own.  So, after feeling crushed because she shut me out, I decided I would just double my efforts in prayer, because she can't stop me from doing that! 

I think to be an effective mentor you must love the other person.  You have to have a heart that is willing and longing to be a part of that persons life through the good and the bad.  A desire to laugh with them, hurt with them, cry with them, heal with them.  A Godly mentor will be someone who loves as Christ loves- unconditionally.

Sometimes it may feel like there isn't really anyone who we could mentor.  To that I say- pray!  God will show you someone who could use your wisdom, love and prayers.