Mentoring helps people to grow and mature as one person shows by words and example how to deal with life.

A good friend of mine has said that it is wise to nurture relationships with godly people who are older (they can give godly counsel), those who are the same age (they can give old fashioned friendship of laughter and love), and with those who are younger (for having a continued structure of friendships when those you love are no longer around).

Friends can nurture each other – support each other – learn from each other.

Who is, or has been, in your life that God has used to help you grow spiritually, mentally, emotionally and socially?

Think about specific persons…who comes to your mind?

Have you thanked God for them? Have you expressed your appreciation to them for their love and friendship?

When Mary had concluded her Magnificat of praising God:

(NASB) Luke 1:56 “And Mary stayed with her (Elizabeth) about three months, and then returned to her home.”

Mary had three months to share, to learn and to grow as Elizabeth very possibly mentored this young virgin carrying the child of God.

Elizabeth was righteous before God (See Luke 1:6). She had learned to trust God for what she did not have – a child. Scripture never alludes to her as having a bitter or resentful attitude. She and her husband had prayed for years to have a child. But this did not keep Elizabeth and Zacharias from honoring and worshiping God.

What attitude have you chosen in your great disappointments in life? Who have you blamed for your prayers being unanswered or not answered in a way that please you?

What are you teaching your children by your actions, attitude and words? Are you being a godly mentor to others? It is great to know that others are mentoring us; however, we need to remember that we also are mentors.

(NASB) Titus 2:3 “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.”

Wow! Older women have a great responsibility in their mentoring the younger women.

So what about the men? (NASB) Titus 2:2 “Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.”

Look at the list that is of your gender…where are you being a good mentor? In what area(s) do you need to improve?

These lists are for a purpose…to help you and me to grow as mentors, to grow in our faith and to become godly men and women for others to know Him in the ups and downs of life.

How do you now desire to pray?