Cbgrace’s Weblog

I have always believed in mentoring.  Some of the greatest influences in my life have been women who mentored me; DiDi McClain (now Barley) and Lisa Mullican.  I’ve had the opportunity to mentor others.  Several years ago, I led a women’s small group.  We met for almost five years and although many women came and went, we had a core group that always participated. 

Recently, as a result of some life situations, I’ve been asking myself, “Are you truely called to mentor?”   I feel unsuccessful in the current situation.  I am not seeing the change I hope to see.  I want to see the light come on when it all “clicks” and understanding finally breaks forth…it’s just not happening. 

Have you been at a place in your life when you asked yourself, “Did God really lead me to this?”  I know I’m not alone in asking myself the question.  Everyone questions their calling occasionally.  Sometimes the calling must be questioned so the declaration, “Yes, I am called!” can be made.

There are times in our life when the question comes up so we can change what we are doing.  The call is the same but the method may change.  I am no longer leading a women’s small group.  That’s okay.  Mentoring happens in many different ways, it does not require a small group situation. 

God is good.  I received an email yesterday from one of the young ladies who was in that small group.  She told me that I made an enormous impact on her life.  When I think about it, the other women who were in that small group are still serving Jesus.  One has served as a missionary.  Two of the young ladies have started prayer teams at their churches (they also served on the prayer team I led).  What great timing God has…just when I needed to hear it, a word of encouragement came.

We have to remember that when something isn’t working, we must either adapt and over come or take a good look at why it’s not working.  My situation has been working with someone who desperately needs mentoring but who doesn’t really want to change.  Mentoring is one of those process ministries.  In other words, sometimes you see results fairly quickly but sometimes, you do not see results for many years.  You must plant the seeds, allow God to water them (or send someone else to water them) and then wait (and wait and wait, sometimes) for results.  Sometimes you don’t see results for many years.