Marcia was not sure what a mentor was supposed to do. She had never served as mentor in an official capacity, but when her pastor called and asked, it was difficult to say no. Now, sitting across from 14-year-old Jennifer, she wondered what she had gotten herself into. They sat awkwardly for a bit, until Jennifer pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from her confirmation class that listed a number of things she should ask her mentor.
Marcia was at first relieved and then delighted to answer the questions. One topic led to another and soon the two were talking up a storm. After several months of meeting and discussing life, faith, and all sorts of things, Marcia was very happy to be present at Jennifer’s confirmation. Both women felt they gained much from the experience and would do it again.
Mentoring can happen in many different settings. Sharing life stories can help give a better understanding of the past, present and future. What’s stopping you from putting the “me” in mentoring?
This message was adapted from “The Joys of Mentoring” by Ken Smith that appeared in the May 1991 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine.
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