Have you ever wished for a good, trustworthy friend, to encourage you, be an example perhaps as to how a person is to walk and talk with God in a daily way?
You may have heard of mentors; someone who takes you under her wing to teach you, and develop you in your career path, like a sports coach or a professional writer tutoring you so you can develop to your best potential. When you hear or read such things, does your heart leap with hope?
How on earth do you find such a perfect life coach or mentor? Not just anyone will do!
The word mentor originates in Greek mythology when a young man is tutored by an older man, while his father is away at war. However, the Bible is full of examples, so we know the concept goes much further back and is a plan that God likes to use in polishing or developing us. Aside from how the laws given to Moses indicated that parents were to teach their own children this way, there are many special relationships described like; Moses and Joshua, Naomi and Ruth, Paul and Timothy.
Recent studies in North America show that young women get very enthused when they hear of a program, as in a church, that promises to match them up with a godly older woman to mentor them, as described in Titus 2. They LOVE the idea! The problem is - there are so few older women who really believe they have anything worth sharing. That may be in part, because they don't feel they've arrived yet.
However, there are among us people, (more specifically woman) who have found solid truths on which to base their lives, and discovered ways of coping or ordering their own lives, and the environment for ones they are responsible for, whether that is a family, employees, or students. Sometimes someone else has to come along and point out all the skills and gifts you are demonstrating and urge you to share and invest in a younger person, to make life easier for them.
Recently I reviewed a book written by two women writers in a mentoring relationship. Edna Ellison and Tricia Scribner wrote a workbook called, "Seeking Wisdom, Preparing Yourself to be Mentored," (published by New Hope Publishers). They describe mentoring as a rich lifetime friendship, involving elements of teacher-disciple as well as coach-trainee relationships. This can be mostly in the area of spiritual growth, a skill or ministry, in wife and mother roles, or in life generally. But they prefer to use a Hebrew term for friendship, merea (mah-RAY-ah) if talking of spiritual mentoring.
You know, I longed for such friendships way back in my teens already. My mother was sick so often, and I did not get the usual training in social skills that I felt other girls were getting. When I went to Ontario, my Aunt Jean took me out to meet her friends, and to restaurants quite a bit. I tell you, I watched and copied her eagerly.
When I had opportunity to work in Pioneer Girls' clubs in the church, I really loved the mentoring roles that developed there, with pre-teen and teen girls learning Bible, crafts, and social ways from me.
A lot of water is under the bridge now, so to speak, years when I've had to lean on the Lord and learn from Him directly. More and more the path I see opening in front of me, involves mentoring others. Guess what - the prospect is quite pleasing. I value and treasure individual friends, and know that no two mereas - or godly friendships are the same. Each must be held as a unique rose or gemstone, a treasure.
When you read my novel, Ruthe's Secret Roses, you'll see that the heroine, Ruthe is a natural friend- maker and merea or mentor. Wherever she goes, whenever she meets someone new, young woman though she is, Ruthe reaches out to help, encourage, and teach, and guide.
I want to be like Ruthe.
Right now my best move is to search out the topic and gather information and resources in a special area of my website. Some will be for you who are looking for mentors, and some for you, who recognize how your own lives have been blessed, and want to touch others with some of that goodness.
My resources beyond the Arbour Gate will spotlight, how to have a dynamic friendship, yes a mentorship, with Jesus, God's Son, in your writing, and in online marketing. I'm also willing to correspond with those who have suggestions or questions. These ideas are still fluid and in process.
For instance, have you got a story about someone who mentored and helped you? What do you look for in a mentor? What are the pitfalls to watch for? Write to me using the form on; https://Ruthes-SecretRoses.com/A/yourstory. shtml
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Ruth Marlene Friesen makes friends wherever she goes!
Her friends become her rare roses at Ruthes-SecretRoses.com
Order the softcover edition at Booklocker.com
And- Subscribe to her weekly ezine RoseBouquet
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Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada