Mentoring Friendship

Mentoring Friendship

Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.

As a young twentysomething, I had just graduated from college and started my career while living at home with my parents. It was a transitional period in my life in which I was moving toward adulthood while still clinging to bits of my childhood. One Sunday I was invited to participate in a Bible study some of the older women in our church were starting as a way to mentor younger women, both married and unmarried. I immediately accepted their invitation, excited to learn from these wise women.

Each week we would gather in one woman’s home, share a meal that we would make together, complete a short Bible study, and then spend time praying for one another. Every time we gathered, I found myself drawn to these women and the stories they told about marriage, raising children, juggling careers, and keeping a home. I loved every week and learned so much. Their prayers over my life and my future would often leave me in tears, and the tender way in which they encouraged me as a young woman still affects me positively today. They intentionally poured their knowledge into each of us, and I still use many of the tips they gave us! They loved well and didn’t shy away from harder topics, sharing honestly the struggles they’ve walked through and allowing a place for us to share our own concerns.

Many times throughout Scripture we see that older men and women are encouraged to mentor those who are younger. In my own life, such mentoring has given me great encouragement when I had little experience with the goodness of God and his faithfulness throughout all of life. We need those who are older to tell the younger generation of the mercy and grace of God—such good words are truly like apples of gold to those who receive them. Whom can you encourage today?

— Kendra

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Share with a friend a part of your story that can encourage them in something they are going through.