From My Window ...

We sat across the restaurant table from each other, lingering over coffee. The meal we had just shared was incidental; the real event was our conversation-authentic give and take, sharing thoughts and feelings, encouraging each other in the Lord.

Then my friend spoke, "I treasure our times together," she said. "I've always thought of you as a mentor."

"No, wait!" I replied, "I think of you as my mentor!"

What do you think of when you hear the word "mentor"? In the workplace one might picture a seasoned employee helping a new recruit become part of the team. In the church one might think of an older woman taking a younger woman under her wing, teaching her the ropes of Christian parenting or training her to take on a leadership position in women's ministry. In informal settings, I see mentoring in simple terms. A mentor is anyone who points me to Jesus.

A Christian mentor:

Listens

Cares

Shares God's Word

Prays with me

Directs my focus to Jesus, in good times and bad

Wanted: Mentors. No experience necessary. Qualifications: See John 15:12.

Janice Kerper Brauer, Associate Editor