Yesterday I shared the blessing of a mentor whose steady help came to me mostly through letters written the old-fashioned way, with pen and paper. I saved every one and today have a treasure-trove of mentor-wisdom from which I continue to draw.
What follows here is the answer to the question, what should a good mentor say? The statements below are plucked from much longer letters, but they serve as a small sampling of tried and true wisdom funneled from God, through my Aunt Joyce, to the rest of us. Here’s some of what she wrote:
- The Lord sandwiches blessings and joys between times of changing us, which get us ready to live with him for eternity. He wants every individual to become like him and is helping us with that.
- The fruit of the Spirit is… peace. I thank God when I feel peace [during tough times], because then I know it can’t be from any source other than his Spirit.
- Although God has put you in difficult circumstances, I’m praying your praise of him and thanksgiving to him will be renewed, even now, where you are.
- God doesn’t promise to remove our grief or burdens, but he does promise to sustain us through them, even through the bewildering unknown.
- God is especially watchful over old people and children, while he is teaching and growing the in-betweens.
- I think financial burdens can be the utmost of tests. You could lose the home you’ve lovingly cared for and the beautiful gardens you’ve planted, and many other things difficult to surrender. You can weep, but be sure you do it after crawling under his soft, protective wings.
- I know you are spending significant time with the One who has all the answers to our questions and the power to execute them in his perfect way. He has all we need, but so often we don’t even ask.
- You may remember that I have been through and experienced the value of lessons learned from God’s loving hands, but I didn’t always recognize it as his love at the time.
- I’m learning the difference between knowing the Word and knowing the Author of it. Feel free to knock on his door!
- When we do the praying, God will do the rest. Don’t ever doubt that.
- We are helpless to change anyone else. Only God can. Our part is to love them and pray for them. Simultaneously we should be asking God what he’s trying to teach us in that process. And then we should listen.
- When we’re learning lessons in life, it’s never easy and often seems endless, but it helps to remember the Lord is on our side, listening to even our weakest cry.
- Prayer doesn’t necessarily change our struggles, and it certainly doesn’t change God, but it does change us, when we pray.
- Thank you, Margee, for letting me share my heart and for the privilege of having a part in yours.
“The Teacher was considered wise, and [she] taught the people everything [she] knew. [She] sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly.” (Ecclesiastes 12:9-10)
What a wonderful blessing your aunt was to you. I would love to have someone like that in my life. Thanks so much for sharing with us.
Love , Ruth
What a treasure to have a friend/mentor like that! And now the Lord is using you, Margaret, to be our mentor.
thank you for a beautiful post. Graeme
I love this post. Thanks for sharing some of her words with us. She was a wise woman.
Hi Margaret,
Your aunt’s word are wise and beautiful, but maybe those are, In away, synonymous. Thanks for encouraging me today!
Judy
Thanks for this timely post, Margaret. With three major issues pressing on me at once, this has been quite encouraging.
Margaret, your Auntie continues to mentor. We, who have read her words, now have the opportunity to apply all of her thoughts to our lives. I plan to pass her Powerful Points on to others, as well. Seeing her envelopes made it so real, and so personal.
Hi Margaret,
Good words from Aunt Margee- thank you for passing them on and spreading her influence. I am particularly struck by a few of the wise excerpts as I find myself very emotional with Sarah’s graduation. I am so excited for all that is before her as she prepares to go to Wheaton, yet there is a large piece of me that feels a certain sense of mourning the “end” of this chapter. It hit me unawares even as I knew it was coming up.
My forte in communication is writing, and I often thought that wherever Sarah went, I would faithfully write to her. Your post today gives me encouragement to pursue that desire, as I have wrestled with wondering if it is God-inspired, or my inability to “let go.”
I think of the title of your blog in a new way, and appreciate reading it daily, looking for ways to go forward now.
Love,
Terry
Oops- Aunt Joyce!
Even though she was not related to me, she made a deep impression by her willingness to apologize for something that was actually my fault. She always looked for a “way thru” to people’s hearts, and didn’t spare herself, if that’s what it took. I once overheard her singing, “If you want joy, you must praise for it” –and believe that was the secret of her happy heart. Praising God despite, regardless of, or in the throes of storms of life kept her steady, interested in others, and grateful to God. May her tribe increase!!
What a treasure trove of ‘gems’ your aunt left you. At the age I am, I can relate to every one of them and they are so wisely true. Thank you, Margaret, for sharing them……the ‘riches of God’.
Thank you for those wise words. I need to apply them all.
Wow! What a legacy your aunt has left you! Her God given wisdom will live on through you and your descendants! Thank you so much for sharing with others!
WOW! What a mentor! I am printing the blog site today and keeping her words of wisdom. Thanks for sharing them!
These wise words are real “keepers” I am filing them with quotes and words of wisdom that I call on when I am writing others. What a privilege to be an encourager/mentor, blessing others with a timely word that the Spirit can use to comfort, steady and strengthen them with resolve to hold on while they trust God to work.