21 Ways To Thrive By 45Намуна

Find A Mentor

I was 17. I walked into her office and asked if we could have coffee. We exchanged a few words, phone numbers, and met a week later. I shared my dreams, ideas, and conundrums. She listened. She smiled. She asked questions. What began was a relationship that proved as useful as a compass and as treasured as fine jewels. Her wisdom and grace were a gift to my young soul. As time went on, I hardly made a decision without seeking her wisdom on the matter. She never told me what to do. Instead, she showed me what to do with her kindness and experience.

Countless times in Proverbs we’re invited to walk with the wise. Heed their warnings. Learn from their experiences. As we do, we’re the ones to grow in wisdom and understanding. Jesus is our ultimate advisor and it behooves us to listen to those who love him well and fought battles we’ve yet to slay. It’s women who are ten steps ahead that share the victories, the goodness and glory of God in ways that encourage our growing faith. It’s often our mentors who assist in weighing outcomes and offer timeless truth. In love and good intentions, they commit to being a voice of reason.

As seasons progress, we may outgrow mentors and search for new ones, but from all of them who love and follow Jesus, we, as Hebrews 13 says, “remember those who taught us the Word of God. Think of the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.”

On the search for a mentor, look for blossoms of fruit within the wise Jesus-loving women around you. Do you witness love? Joy? Peace? Patience? Kindness? Goodness? Self-control? Does she both follow and lead? Does she parent in a way that resonates with how God is calling you to shepherd your own children? Is she in a healthy marriage? Does she have thriving friendships? Is she a woman of her word?

Approach her. Like any friendship, look for chemistry. Ask to share an hour and enjoy a coffee together. Is she a busy lady? Maybe ask to tag along on something she’s already doing. As you seek to flourish right where you’re at, walk with the wise. It’s not a glamorous endeavor. It’s an ancient one. One that will advance your faith.