Sunday, January 18, 2015

10 REASONS WHY I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT MENTORING-by Heidi McLaughlin

It happened sixteen years ago. A young woman came to me and with tears in her eyes asked me if I would mentor her. I was startled. I didn’t know how to respond because I had never officially mentored anyone. Even though I said yes, I had no idea how this “mentoring thing” would evolve. Over the next two years I experienced a journey of discovery and excitement in my spirit that I did not even know existed. I found that as men and women who have godly influence, we are called to mentor. For the women it clearly states in the bible that: “These older women must train the younger women to live quietly, to love their husbands and their children, and to be sensible and clean minded…(Titus 2:4 NLT). I have discovered that when I am obedient to this command, I also grow spiritually and my own life is enriched and fulfilled.
Here are 10 reasons why I am passionate about mentoring.


1.                  Our great God is a creator and we are made in His image. We are fulfilled when we are also creating.  Mentoring gives me an opportunity to partner with God and create new life in another woman.
2.                  God is a God of order and He has a reason for asking us to do something. In the book of Titus it says that: “older women are to teach the younger women.” When I am part of God’s plan for the way He intended this world to work, my own life is enriched,
3.                  As I interact and minister to other women, I realize that the pain, confusion and failures I have experienced in my life, have given me wisdom that I must pass on to younger women.
4.                  I “get to” have an intimate relationship with another women.  We are created for intimacy and this type of close relationship fills that void in my own life.
5.                  I watch life transformation before my very eyes.
6.                  Younger women ask me questions for which I have no answers. This propels me to seek God more by intentionally digging deeper into scriptures, praying more and asking God for wisdom.
7.                  It teaches me to become honest and authentic.
8.                  Mentoring is a mirror for my own life.  When I realize that the woman I am mentoring watches me, it causes me to look at myself through the eyes of God and the other woman.
9.                  Mentoring teaches me what it means to become a godly woman of influence.
10.              Mentoring gives hope, encouragement, love, and wisdom to other women in every stage of their lives. I am in awe that God wants to use me to be his hands, feet and voice that will accomplish His plans and purposes in other women.
Mentoring for me is like skiing free-style. Each woman is unique in her request for me to mentor her and I need to listen to her heart and her need. I have mentored women to help them with their marriages, to teach them out to grow in their spiritual life, how to overcome being a “child of divorce”, how to live a Christian life after being in a cult, how to survive with 5 small children. And so on and so on. Each woman’s story is precious and distinctive. As Christian writers we have powerful wisdom and insights into helping younger writers craft their words and stories.

As women of influence it is up to us to look a younger woman in the eye and say, “How can I best help you in your journey?” Then let God help you forge the path.
   
Heidi McLaughlin lives in the beautiful vineyards of the Okanagan Valley in Kelowna, British Columbia. She is married to Pastor Jack and they have a wonderful, eclectic blended family of 5 children and 9 grandchildren. When Heidi is not working, she loves to curl up with a great book, or golf and laugh with her husband and special friends. You can reach her at: www.heartconnection.ca




5 comments:

Glynis said...

Lovely, reflective post, Heidi. With great mentoring responsibility comes great fulfilment though, right? Your ten reasons are so valid and well thought out. I think the scariest one for me is #7 about it being a mirror! Yikes.

Tracy Krauss said...

Thank you for this reminder Heidi. We sometimes get so busy with our own projects that we forget how important mentoring is - for those we mentor and for us, too

Bobbi Junior said...

Goodness, Heidi! I'm a mentor, too but I didn't even realize it until I read your 10 points. The Lord has put me into that role with a couple of younger women. You've beautifully defined what I've been doing unconsciously. Now I can be aware of the relationship and seek God with more focus. Thank you so much!

fudge4ever said...

Thank you for your thoughts, Heidi. Mentoring always brings me back to where I need to be in my own life, and in our own marriage as we mentor a young married couple. Mentoring points out the weaknesses in my life that need strengthening and has caused me to face some of my own issues. Like you said, mentoring is like a mirror! It sure is a wonderful privilege and learning experience!
Pam Mytroen

Peter Black said...

Heidi, I'm sure that you and your lady commenters are right on. You have articulated well key elements involved in mentoring. It's interesting that some of us hadn't thought of ourselves as mentors, even though mentoring was taking place, for someone (often younger) looked to us as examples and for guidance, and were receiving inspiration and help for their life's journey. Thank you. ~~+~~

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