I have been mentoring a young girl for a little over a year now. The idea of mentoring was suggested to me when my youngest child went away to college. The first time I met my mentee, I had so many thoughts about if I would have anything useful to offer her, or if I would know the “right thing” to say. She was so quiet and only answered my questions with yes or no at first.
Over the next few months, our relationship began to change. She became way more talkative and shared more of her life with me. We are now able to talk about the hard things, but also make room for laughter. Some of my favorite times with her have been very simple things, like discussions while making Christmas cookies, walks at a park, a trip to the movies, or introducing each other to our favorite ice cream place!
“Some of my favorite times with her have been very simple things, like discussions while making Christmas cookies, walks at a park, a trip to the movies, or introducing each other to our favorite ice cream place!”
After several months, I asked if I could pray for her before she leaves my car each time. The first time I did it she just looked at me with a look of surprise afterward and when I questioned her, she just said thank you and smiled cheek to cheek. I won’t forget it. Now every time I pull in the driveway she waits, and I know it’s something she places value in.
Although there have been many tough situations in her life…things that I don’t have explanations for, what I have learned is that it really isn’t about having the answers or the “right thing” to say, it is more about loving her where she is and through whatever it is she goes through. That I can do and so can you!