On Being Mentored

One of my sweet mentors back in AR and her kiddos

I thoroughly appreciated this blog post by Jodi Ware over at The Gospel Coalition a few days ago, so I thought I'd share it here.  The post is about being mentored (also known as being discipled), which is so near and dear to my heart because I can say without a doubt that being mentored by older, godly women (and mentoring other believers as well) has been one of the most fertile seedbeds of spiritual growth in my own personal life.  

Having just moved to a new town (and state for that matter) around 8 months ago, I can also say without a doubt that lacking these mentoring relationships has been one of the biggest holes that I have felt (and still feel) about our move (I think this is the case simply because relationships take time to develop, not because there aren't qualified women here to disciple younger women like myself...).  Anyway, let's just say that I've been praying more and more that the Lord would bring faithful, older women into my life to disciple me and fill this hole that I notice so regularly... as well as younger women whom I can mentor.

Another sweet, sweet lady who has mentored me
mainly by sharing her life with me (again, back in AR).

Back to Jodi's post though... She keenly points out that being mentored can happen in multiple ways, even without a formal weekly one-to-one or small group meeting.  This was such a good reminder to me!  I've certainly been mentored in one-to-one settings as well as by simply being around specific women and watching them live life in light of the gospel.  Both are good.  Jodi also pointed out a few other important ways that we should be seeking to grow spiritually whether we have these deep relationships with other women or not.  I'm hoping to heed some of her advice during this dry season of mentorship as I continue praying for God's provision of godly mentors in this new place.

I'd encourage you to go over and check out her ideas on being mentored as well as her own examples of how she strives to be faithful in mentoring other women... I think you'll be encouraged and challenged, no matter where you fall right now in regard to being mentored/mentoring.

How to Be Mentored Without a Mentor (2.28.2013)