I spent all day today at a retreat for a mentoring program I am involved with at my church. In this program, older women (35+) mentor younger women (under 35, like me). Even before the retreat but especially now, I am so grateful for my mentor. She loves me, prays for me, and is an amazing encouragement. She really is pouring herself into this relationship in order to help me know Jesus more.
So, this week’s suggestion of how to change the world is to intentionally mentor someone. Since I am being poured into, I have been able to better pour love, truth, and encouragement into other people, younger than myself. God uses this type of relationship in such a huge way to change people, and through people to change the world.
It can be easy to feel inadequate or like you’re not a good “fit” to mentor someone or choose to be mentored. But, remember that we are ALL a work in progress. Everyone has their stuff. You don’t need to be perfect, you just need to be there. I realized this especially in the first meeting with my mentor, because she is not necessarily who I would have pictured as a close relationship. We have a lot of similarities, but we are also just very different. In this, however, God has taught so much more than if my mentor was essentially just an older version of myself. God has given you gifts and talents, use them to encourage and guide someone!
If you have time for a formal mentor commitment, consider volunteering as a big brother or big sister.
Change the World 