— 31 Days of Fishbowl Grace:Practical Tips for Women in Ministry —

31 Days of Fishbowl Grace: MENTOR {Day 13}

October 13, 2013

Today’s catch phrase is:

Mentor other women intentionally.

A few years ago, I submitted a devotional for publication called “The Lost Art of Mentoring.” I’m quite sure that I wrote that article with a stinging heart, for I had searched for a mentor in vain for several years. As a young wife, I had a keen expectation that the older women in my life would intentionally mentor me. I looked and looked. But no one rose to the challenge. In fact, it seemed as though mentoring another woman hadn’t even crossed most women’s minds.

Every time I met another pastor’s wife, I asked her what her best piece of advice was for a young pastor’s wife. I received a lot of great advice that still sticks with me to this day. In a way, it was like little dew drops of mentoring in a desert of longing. But for the most part, I resigned myself to never finding a mentor, and asked God to mentor me.

Then one summer, a pastor’s wife who I had admired for a long time agreed to be my mentor. Some of you know her. Her name is Debbie Herbster. Before we parted ways from summer camp, she gave me a beautiful bracelet (which reminded me to pray for her). For about a year after that, she mentored me through email, sending me articles for women in ministry and passing along helpful devotional tools. I really appreciated her time and intentional in-pouring of wisdom into my life.

It has become increasingly noticeable to me that women in general are not mentoring as God intended them to. But how much more we who are pastors’ wives? We need to be pouring our lives into others’ lives. Intentionally.

As I look around and see the dearth of older women with a  mindset to mentor, I realize that those of us who are younger need to step up to the plate. Because one day, we will be those older women, and we need to have something to give to the ones coming after us.

After all, mentoring isn’t just about age. It’s about maturity in Christ.

It’s about sharing the wisdom that God gives us with others. Maybe it’s about that teenaged girl who needs part of your heart. Maybe it’s about that woman who is older, but hasn’t been saved very long or hasn’t grown in the Lord. Maybe it’s about a close friend who can be sharpened by you, and you by her.

Whoever it is, find her. Ask God to open your eyes to who, where, when and how. And He will!

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Will you take the challenge? Right where God has you,

Mentor other women intentionally.

Let’s chat: Have you been blessed with a Godly mentor, or are you still wishing for one? Has God allowed you to establish some mentoring relationships with the women/girls around you? What are some of the things you talk about and do together? Please share!

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7 thoughts on “31 Days of Fishbowl Grace: MENTOR {Day 13}”

  1. This post spoke to my heart, as I have always longed for a mentor but have never really received one, but I have been thinking about who I could mentor. I am getting to be one of those older women now, and God has graciously mentored me. I will come back and reread this one.

  2. This is very good. In this day and age esp when everyone is so busy, there are still women out there who need our wisdom,, fellowship and friendship. I do as was done to me when I was a young mother (now I am a grandmother) In my daily life, just try to reach someone and be thier friend. I know I am not ever gonna be too old to learn from those who have gone thru something I have yet to. Starting my day with the prayer, Lord lead me to some soul today. God is good and he helps us as we step out of our comfort zone. I am who I am because of people who cared enough to reach out to me.

  3. I love this! I’ve wanted to mentor other women but how? Do you wait for them to ask you? How did it work out with you & Debbie Herbster? Did you ask her to mentor you? Because unfortunately most of the women I am exposed to want peer mentoring/coffee gatherings where they hang out which is very rarely a good thing.

    1. I think if you wait for them to ask you they probably never will. I asked Debbie myself and she agreed to do it. It was a little different since it was via email, and was only for the span of about a year. But it was a crucial year for me, a year when I really needed someone to be there to guide me. Yes, peer mentoring doesn’t usually work. I mentor our college girls in a way- have them over and take opportunities to teach them things that God has taught me about ministry (since they are training for ministry) and even domestic skills. They haven’t specifically asked me to mentor them, but I have taken it upon myself to invest in their lives as I am able to.

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