Do it for her, and her, and her…

Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good.  These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.  ~Titus 2:3-5

I feel blessed to have had many amazing women as role models in my life.  I had a special Sunday school teacher who encouraged and rewarded regular attendance.  I believed she really wanted me to be in church every Sunday.  I had two grandmothers who loved me as only grandmothers can love, and taught me lessons only grandmothers can teach.  My aunts are all strong women of faith and I am thankful that they are among the women who have enriched my life.  The mothers of some of my friends, and many of the women in the churches I have been a part of, have all added something important to my life.  All of these faithful women played a part in making me who I am today.  But the number one person on my list of mentors is my mother.

My mom is the wisest and most godly woman I know.  She taught me that my relationship to God and my commitment to being an active part of my church are vital if I want to live a fulfilled life.  She showed me how to face life’s trials with amazing grace and unwavering faith.  My mom made many sacrifices for her family, and she demonstrated how to do it with joy and love, and without complaint.  She was a mentor to many of my friends, and to the friends of my sister and brothers; some of whom did not have good relationships with their own moms.  

My mom has a wonderful sense of humor.  I love to see the joy in her heart overflowing in bouts of uncontrolled laughter.  Through the many hours we have spent laughing together, I have learned not to take myself too seriously.  I have learned that even grown-ups can and should be silly sometimes.  And my mom thought me how to be a mom.

You might not have had a great relationship with your own mother, but you have probably had one or more other women who have influenced your life in a positive way—women who have guided you and loved you through good times and bad.   You may have someone who is mentoring you right now—who is helping you become the woman God created you to be.

Why am I blessed to have had so many awesome women as mentors in my life?  Why have you had women as mentors in your life?  Because other women cared enough to be mentors to each of them.  In Titus 2:3-5, Paul reminds us that as women of faith, it is our duty to be mentors to other women.  I believe it is also a privilege to be able to pass on what we have learned, to women who are hungry for the knowledge we have to share.

You can be a mentor at any age, and you can mentor someone of any age, but Paul tells us it is important to make sure we reach out to the younger, less experienced women in our lives; and offer to share what we have learned on our own journey of faith.

I pray that I have been, and will continue to be, the kind of mentor for my daughter that my mom has been for me.  I want to live up to the legacy given to me by the many women who have served as role models and mentors throughout my life.  If you have also been blessed by amazing women in your life,  I encourage you to continue the tradition of mentoring that was passed on to you.  If you weren’t blessed with a tradition of mentoring and strong role models, I encourage you to begin a new tradition for the future.  Be a mentor.  Do it for her, and her, and her…