The first thing I saw as I pulled up to the retreat center

What can I say? There is nothing like fellowship with Christian women.

This weekend I attended a Lutheran women’s retreat.  The theme was “Encouraged in Heart and United in Love” lead by Mary Hilgendorf of the Women’s Leadership Institute.  The theme comes from Colossians 2:2-3.  It’s going to sound cliche, but I laughed, I cried, I had a lot of fun.  I’ll admit it, I have only recently discovered the joy of women.  Sure I have had a few female friends, but many of my friends have been male.  Until last year, when I had the opportunity to lead a women’s Bible study.

What a joy to connect, really connect with a group of women.  Women are gifted in the relationship department.  Those of you who have discovered this, cherish it!  For those of you who haven’t (and you know who you are) I really encourage you to get out there!  Join a women’s Bible study, take a woman out for coffee, write a card to relative, pray with a female coworker, just make an effort to CONNECT!  It’s amazing to see how God blesses these friendships.

Obviously one of my favorite ways of connecting with women is small group Bible study.  I love studying the Bible with others. We can encourage, challenge, and pray for one another.  Life can be very difficult.  Having a team of women remind you of Christ’s grace and comfort when you are overwhelmed… well words can’t describe it.

God is so good. And I thank God for the all the beautiful women in my life.

What are some of your favorite “connection-makers?”

I asked myself this question as I read Proverbs 22:17,18 today.  This verse talks about listening to the “words of the wise.”  We all have people in our lives who are important to us, people we respect and admire.  These people have a profound impact on our lives.  They are the people who challenge us to grow when we become complacent.  They are also the ones who give us comfort when life is difficult.

I had a mentor in my life who asked me if I had forgotten that Jesus died for me.  You see it had been an especially difficult day and I was not in a pleasant mood.  His question prompted me to think, really think about this Gospel, this good news.  I am bought and paid for, I have a hope and a Savior who, dispite what happens today, loves me more than I could ever imagine.  Though the day was not instantly transformed into a day at the beach, my perspective changed.  I was able to see the bigger picture and I found hope in those “wise words.”

What does it take to be a mentor?  I propose it takes three things.

* A listening heart.

* The courage to say what needs to be said, just as my mentor encouraged me to look to Christ for comfort.

* Finally, I believe a good grasp of scripture is an invaluable gift in mentoring.  As it says in Proverbs 22:18, “it will be pleasant if you keep (the scriptures) within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.”  What a blessing to be able share the right words with someone who needs them!

Who are your mentors?