Mentoring

When I moved to Mississippi I sought for a mentor. I really hadn't thought about a mentor before. But in thinking about mentors, I had many through the years, although I didn't call them mentors. I think of my friend Virgil and the many conversations we had. We were probably mentoring each other. We could talk and discuss anything.  I remember my Pastor from Arlington and the many rides we took. I learned a lot from him. I remember Wash and Johnny when we would meet for dinner at a buffet place on Friday evening. As I look back on these things, they were mentoring opportunities for me. I think of the men's group I attended near lake Goodwin and my buddy Dave at Sisco Heights, although I didn't call it mentoring, as I think back on it, that is what it was. When I moved to Tacoma, I didn't have that, and I look back I realize, I really needed it then. All those groups of men and different friends, they kept me on track. I feel I did better with them. There was another men's group I had attended when I had moved to Everett, I don't remember how it was sponsored or by whom, but it also was a type of mentoring. Mentoring could also be called discipling. I think of my early years when I first left home and lived with a Christian couple in Aberdeen and then Kennewick, they discipled me. I never thought of it as mentoring. Mentoring could it be like an apprentice or an intern, where we work along side a more experience workman. Teaching them how to stand strong through the many temptations and trials that come against us in life. At first I thought I never had mentors, but as I thought through this, I had many. Many that showed me the way, taught me how to be a Christian. I think of my friends Virgil and Dave, Wash and Johnny. A couple of those groups I no longer remember the names. I think of Darcy H. and the counseling I received from that man of God. Pastor Jimmy A. and the times we spent together. The pastor from Warm Beech and I can no longer remember his name. So many have helped me along this way over the years.  There were specific groups for a specific purpose. I have been blest with so many mentors along the way and currently meet with a mentor for the past couple of years. I guess it has been three or four years now, I am not sure how long it has been. I know it was before I became a Deacon and that has already been three years. I am so thankful for these men that helped me along the way. When I did my worst Christian living was in Tacoma, when I didn't have these men along side me. We talked about this today and one word I thought of to describe this was intentional. It is on purpose that I sought out mentoring opportunities. It has helped me immensely. I remember three to four years ago when I was thinking about needing a mentor and Pastor preached on it one morning. It confirmed what I was already thinking.  I really don't remember when I started this season of mentoring.  Time has flown by so quickly. I would advise any Christian that is serious about living a Christian life to seek out a mentor. Find someone more experience than you and spend time honing your relationship and your skills as a Christian. It can take many forms but it is coming along side one another and helping each other on this journey towards eternity. Intentional living. Apprenticeship, discipling are just a couple of words I think of.

18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20At once they left their nets and followed him.

21Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Matthew 4:18-22.   This is what Jesus did, he disciple intentionally these 12 and we today are a result of what Jesus and these men started so many years ago. Jesus is our ultimate example of mentoring. God bless, LVZ.