Moms & Mentors: Pass It On

Photo by Steve Bachman. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

When do we fit mentoring in? I mean, truly, those of us who can be considered older women carry lots of responsibilities. Many of us already serve at church and/or work outside the home. Some of us have teenagers and young adults at home while others care for grandchildren or elderly parents. Then again, we might be elderly women with multiple health concerns. Whatever the situation, the thought of coming alongside a younger woman and pouring into her life can feel overwhelming, unrealistic, or confining.

So we put it off.

Maybe when all the kids are grown and settled into lives of their own…

If I can just accomplish this set of goals first...

I’m finally free of constant commitments. This is my time now…

These thoughts and more might cross our minds when the topic of mentoring intrudes. Either we don’t have enough hours in the day, or we aren’t willing to sacrifice some of our few free ones. And here’s another thought, which might be the most prevalent:

I’m not good enough. I don’t have much to offer. Someone else could mentor better.

Despite these words we say to ourselves, what does God’s Word say?

“Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 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, that the word of God may not be dishonored” Titus 2:3-5, NASB

Merriam-Webster defines a mentor as “someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person.” 

Mentoring holds tremendous value and importance—perhaps now more than ever.

Considering  current culture and the ideals it promotes, today’s young women can benefit from godly examples of how to love their husbands and children. They can learn so much from lessons we’ve learned along the way. They can move forward confidently in their roles as wives and mothers when the counsel they receive is based on God’s Word. But first, we need to share—our time, our talents, our hearts, and our biblical knowledge.

In answer to my opening question, we fit mentoring in … whenever we can. 

Mentoring need not be complicated, guilt-driven, or schedule-oriented. God doesn’t attach detailed instructions about how to teach young women. He simply specifies the subject matter: what is GOOD, which will encourage them to love and live well.

If you aren’t already mentoring a young woman, does a certain person pop into your mind? How can you consistently connect with her, teaching what is good?

When we belong to Christ, the Holy Spirit teaches us what’s good. Let’s pass it on.

I’d love to hear from you, and others can benefit from your input as well. What are some practical, simple ways you’re impacting a young woman’s life for Christ?