It seems like most of my life I have wanted a mentor. One amazing woman who poured her life and wisdom into me once reminded me (confirming what my husband said) no one person can mentor you in everything.
Throughout my life, God has brought me mentors for different areas of my life.
I had a prayer mentor who started teaching me the importance of prayer when I was just a toddler.
I had a life mentor I respected but didn’t listen to when I was a young adult. If I’d listened to her wisdom and spent more time with her, I would have avoided much heartache and pain.
I had a youth ministry mentor who taught me the basics of the ministry then sent me out to do it with his full support and blessing.
I had a precious mentor who taught me about being a woman in ministry, marriage, parenting and growing closer to God through the Holy Spirit.
I had a Bible study mentor who taught me the importance of meeting with other women to study the Word together.
I had a mama mentor who let me be with her in the hospital the day her baby girl was born. She also asked me to help her overnight when her husband was out of town and I got to take the night shift in caring for her little one so she could sleep. I’d never been with a newborn before and it was amazing training. I got to babysit her littles when she didn’t trust others to do it and it prepared me to be a better mama. I remember my arms aching when I’d put those little ones to bed. It was an emotional ache because it was before my “bigs” were born, but it was also physical, because my body wasn’t used to carrying around little humans all the time.
There are many more mentors I could list, but my Bright Shining Starr is highlighted in heart tonight.
Tonight, as I prepare for the 2 year anniversary of losing our littlest one, I am so grateful for the woman who gave me these gorgeous flowers accompanied by a tender card and blessings and prayers and hugs. She lost the love of her life 9 years ago and we are connected because our anniversary/memorial dates are 1 day apart. We have only known each other for just over a year and, yet, God has taught me SO much through this precious one and her grieving journey.
“Some days are harder than others” she told me, “Some years I remember things not as clearly and tenderly than others.” She often talks about her husband and their life together and always with longing. I admire her authenticity with me and honesty. She tells me that I can only be me and grieve the way I need to, trusting God to be with me through it. She assured me that it’s ok and good that I still mourn my baby even through it’s been 2 years and I never got to hold (her). For the last 2 weeks she has been asking “how is your heart?” What good training and mentoring. One of the best gifts of this year has been God giving me this woman to help me walk through this loss. What a gift she is. I want to be a gift like that to others.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:18
My Prayer for you:
My prayer is that we would be able to walk others through their grieving processes with this kind of grace. I pray God will bring you a grieving mentor, too.
A Prayer You Could Pray:
Dear Jesus, I am still grieving and I need Your comfort. Please send it through Your Word, Your Church, and someone who understands how I feel and can love me through this time. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Things to Ponder, Pray and Journal:
- Who is someone who has lost a loved one that you can go to for wisdom and guidance?
- How do you want God to comfort you in this time?
- Is there already someone in your life who needs you to be a grieving mentor for them? If so, call her/him today. If not, be on the lookout… God wants to use this pain for His glory, dear one.
3 You Can See 