This is Josh and his son Luke. Josh and his wife Shana are in our community group. I love these pictures. (Pay special attention to the one of Luke…he’s busy!) Cheryl at first said I couldn’t post it on the Internet, but I couldn’t resist breaking a rule. I think the two pictures are hilarious. Like father like son…
I love investing in young fathers…
Our community group is full of great ones…
Recently Josh had a career decision to make. He wanted to wrestle through it with me. He actually took my advice. He honored me greatly, not by taking my advice, but with a text he sent me later, which said, “You are my new mentor!” He probably was joking, but he doesn’t know how much that comment resonates with me.
Years ago I solicited a mentor. He agreed to mentor me on one condition; that I would in turn mentor others. I’ve been attempting to obey that commitment I made to my mentor ever since. I cannot tell you how those times have blessed my life!
Do you have a mentor?
Who are you investing in? Who is investing in you?
What have you learned from the process of mentoring?
Thank you Pam. You two are special to us. Maybe we can get together soon. Cheryl had a great time with you. Enjoy your weekend.
I agree Cindy with have multiple mentors. Each brings a different perspective. I like asking them all the same question. Good idea.
I have four people right now that I go to as a mentor. I ask different ones different questions and sometimes I ask them all the same question. It is awesome to see the different answers that I sometimes get and helps me to look at different view points to questions that I have. I have as well grown to really appriciate and love the people that I got to. I love the picture of the little boy. I work with kiddos who are that 0-5 and that is a precious picture.
Great post and pix. I praise God for what you and Cheryl mean to us. And your wisdom has touched our lives!
I agree with that. I have at times looked for different personalities to mentor me based on that part of me I felt needed work. Thanks!
Personalities play a big part in choosing to mentor or to be mentored. Over the forty years that I've been walking with God, I have never really had a mentor. I think the biggest two reasons are that I tend to like to be alone and that I like to dig and dig in the Bible to the point of being nerdy. However, when I started teaching back in 2002, I found mentoring to be a real help to me–I even go to my mentor (who is now my principal) for help when I need it.
Although I’ve had seasons in my life during which I’ve mentored younger women, I’ve never had a mentor myself. I’ve always loved the idea…but I suppose I didn’t know how to find one. I’ve had a few wonderful female friends who were my age and who gave me encouragement, but no mentor, per se. Now I’m wondering how I missed out! P.S. Love the photos!
Vicky, I think most mentors are selected….all of mine have been. It doesn’t have to be a formal arrangement, but it’s when I choose to follow someone and model after them in a certain way. I’ve had mentors I solicited for business, church planting, personal disciplines, parenting, etc. Their wisdom has been invaluable to me. Thanks!
I have two mentors, and can't imagine what more of a mess I'd be if I didn't allow others to speak into my life. From the process of mentoring, I have learned that just as God showed us with Job, sometimes our friends can be uncomforting comforters and we will realize the importance of keeping our relationship with God more important than any other relationship. My two mentors will not hesitate to shake their finger at me with a well-deserved rebuke (one took an airplane and a rental car to deliver such a message), and this has taught me the value of redemption that comes when we will face our sin and deal with conflicts which sin causes. They continually inspire me to care more about things I should be caring more about, and to care less about things that have no value.
I think that's a great point….the "mess we'd be in if we don't allow others to speak into our lives" Mentors for me have kept me from making bad decisions I would regret later. Thanks!