Skip to Main Content
Women of the ELCA
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
  • Ministry & Action
    • Discipleship
    • Justice
      • Human Trafficking
      • Racial Justice Advocacy
      • Racial Justice Advocacy Network resources
      • Domestic Violence
    • Membership
    • Stewardship
      • Thankofferings
      • Faithful Friends
      • Katie’s Fund
      • Gift Planning
    • Special Initiatives
      • Raising Up Healthy Women & Girls
      • Dear Friend in Christ
    • Scholarships
      • Lutheran laywomen
      • Lutheran Ordained Ministry
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Events
  • About
    • History
    • Executive Board
    • Staff
    • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
« Back to All Daily Grace

What does it mean to be a mentor?

6.15.2019
|
Daily Grace

Since my first unhelpful mentoring experience, I shied away from anything resembling a formal mentoring relationship. But now, I realized mentors have been all around me. My beloved college professors had helped me figure out who I was as a writer. My (then new) pastor and I walked together and talked about faith while her son played on the swings.

I’d joined a philanthropic women’s group with members ranging in age from their early 40s to early 100s. These women would pull me aside, tell me they were praying for me and share what had worked (and what hadn’t) in their lives. But I wasn’t the only one benefiting from these relationships. I wasn’t an obligation, but a fellow traveler.

One of my dearest friends is about two decades older than I am, but she never makes me feel inferior. She is unafraid of my questions and of disagreeing with me. We frequently discuss what a gift it is to be companions for each other as we walk through this life.

All those years ago, I didn’t realize that the best relationships are about give as well as take or that we could walk side by side, regardless of our ages.

This message is excerpted from a Women of the ELCA blog by Cara Strickland. You can read it here.

Do you enjoy these free Daily Grace messages? If so, donate now to further the ministry. Use the “where needed most” line.

Share

Sign up for Daily Grace

Daily Grace is an on-the-go companion for your journey, offering a faith reflection every day. Encounter God’s extravagant, boundless and often surprising grace by signing up for a daily email message.

Back to home

8765 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago IL 60631

800-638-3522

[email protected]

Stay In Touch

Sign up for the WELCA Newsletter

Explore WELCA
  • Ministry & Action
  • Daily Grace
  • Resource Library
  • Events
  • Blog
  • News
  • About WELCA
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Photos
Explore Publications

Bold Cafe

A Lutheran perspective for women of Christian faith or any woman who is interested in how faith relates to the issues facing women today.

Gather Magazine

A mix of articles, theological reflections, devotions and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith.

Cafe Podcast

Subscribe to our podcast:

Click to subscribe

© Copyright 2023 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
© Copyright 2023 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.