One of the great lies in the church stops us as fathers and mothers from fathering people because we think in order to do it we need to be better than them. It’s not about my ability. It’s about my encouragement. It’s about my love. It’s about believing in Him. For sons and daughters to become heroes they need moms and dads who believe in them, cheer them on, and encourage them even though they might not be as good at what they do.
You teach a little by what you say. You teach most by what you are.
The object of mentoring is not perfection but improvement. Don’t feel as if you have to be flawless before you can begin to impart your wisdom and skills to others. Also, realize that the underlying purpose of mentoring is not for people to act differently but rather to become different. Such a change certainly doesn’t happen overnight; the process is evolutionary, not revolutionary.
God has provided you with many avenues for obtaining wisdom and averting failure. Resist your inclination to accept advice with easy solutions and to reject help that requires a more difficult path.
If people you lead constantly say, “We don’t know what we’d do without you,” Re-evaluate your mentoring skills
For many years, as a single woman with no children, I disdained the title of ‘spiritual mom’ because I felt it was just a nicety that Christians slapped on women who had no children of their own, sort of like a consolation prize on Mother’s Day. I no longer believe that and so today, I created this graphic to celebrate all of us. I celebrate and honour mothers who have given birth, adopted, and fostered and I celebrate those women who pour out their lives to bless and raise up those who may never live under their roof but live forever in their hearts.
January 10, 2020
To me, it is nothing when I am applauded and well-spoken of. There is only one thing I ask of you-to prove your approval of me through your works. That is how you can speak well of me, and that is what is going to do you good. This, to me, is the greatest honour. I prefer it to a material crown. I do not desire applause and being well spoken of. I have one request to make-for you to listen to me in quiet attentiveness and to put my advice into practice. This is not a theatre. You don’t sit here in order to admire actors and to applaud them. This is a place where you must learn the things of God.
If sheep do not have the constant care of a shepherd, they will go the wrong way, unaware of the dangers at hand. They have been known to nibble themselves right off the side of a mountain….. And so, because sheep are sheep, they need shepherds to care for them. The welfare of sheep depends solely upon the care they get from their shepherd. Therefore, the better the shepherd, the healthier the sheep.
I am a big proponent of the concept that Christianity is more “caught than taught” and that a person’s meaningful involvement in the process is critical to them experiencing the power of the gospel in their lives. This meaningful involvement takes time and persevering love.
Christians need to learn from discerning voices. We need mature believers who will speak truth, guide us through trials, and teach us about God, ministry, and culture. A major part of the problem in the age of outrage is that we are looking for answers in the wrong places. When we turn to the voices of our culture for wisdom—Fox News or MSNBC; celebrities or athletes; musicians or pop psychologists; or the self-help section at the bookstore or on our podcast app—we give platforms to people with no allegiance to or love for the gospel. One of the major ways to combat this and ensure our worldview is shaped by the gospel is by listening to voices that lead us toward holiness.