My Bible study page stayed blank for a long time. I couldn’t decide if I was going to pass the book along (write in a separate journal), keep the book (write in the margins), or pass the book and my thoughts along (write in the margins).
So I didn’t write anything and I didn’t finish the homework. I did spend a lot of time thinking, and wrote a whole post in my head.
Here’s the short version:
Who was a mentor in your life and how did they impact you?
I am fortunate to say I had mentors in every season of my life— which is good and such a blessing because I need the help!
My example, in case you never get to see the margins of my hand-me-down study, was my high school English teacher.
I managed to make it through most high school classes by doing my homework at the very last second, or in class right before turn in time. I don’t know how that worked exactly— it probably shouldn’t have.
One teacher was the exception. She (thankfully) wouldn’t let me get away with shortcuts for my own good.
Instead, she held each of us to the standard of our potential. Demanding we stretch and grow, in a way that we all wanted to live up to.
Students who didn’t care about school, cared about her class.
I know at least four- who decided to teach because of her class.
She gained great respect by treating us with respect, and teaching us to respect and represent ourselves.
She really went above and beyond for each of us— and it made all the difference.
When I got married at 18, I decided to do things as cheaply and efficiently as possible— my budget was tight.
Again— she helped bridge the gap and she gave a gift that still shaped our wedding into something more than I had known I would want— and she raised the bar just enough to encourage me to value the moment—and rise to my potential.
She gifted us a wedding cake. Locally done, and not huge— but absolutely beautiful.
I put more thought into the rest of the service because she showed me that I was worth the effort.
She kept me looking up- gracefully, without anyone knowing what she was doing.
And I am grateful for her!
Years later, I had been making cakes on the side to help supplement our income. Because of her gift at our wedding— I decided to help other couples with their big day.
In a tradition of continuing gratitude, I would encourage couples to share about their dream cake in the planning. Then surprise them with as close as my abilities could get.
What a difference these mentors make!