Random Thoughts for Today

My mind has been going all week with everything I currently have on my plate: some things require my immediate attention, others are months down the road; but yet, I am still on the inside. God has really been talking to me this week, revealing Himself through others, His Word and a book I am reading. I have been getting some good one on one time with my daughter lately, but sometimes I feel as if we aren’t “clicking” like we used to. She’s growing up fast and I know that. Days and times I could usually bank on for spending time with her are slowly being replaced with sports, dance, and friends. I’m not alarmed though, because we have an amazing relationship and I know all is not lost.

This morning was bittersweet. I attended one of here cheerleading games and my heart was pounding with Daddy pride as I watched her cheer away; but also filled with heartache as her mom, stepdad, and the rest of their family sat on the other side of the bleachers. My daughter definitely paid more attention to them being there, but did come over to my side of the railing a couple times to talk with me and steal my water bottle. Even though we did not converse much, I knew my being there mattered. I kept playing in my head the fact that one day she may sit back as an adult and realize, You know, my dad was always at my games. In fact, he was always at almost everything I participated in. She may realize this when I’m still alive and thank me for it; she may realize it after I’m long gone; or it may never occur to her at all. Doesn’t matter, because I am doing what I am supposed to do: being a dad.

As grateful as I am to God for all He has blessed me with, my heart still breaks for the dads out there who don’t get to experience these sorts of days as often as they should. Even more so, the Lord has put a flame in my heart that keeps growing for fatherless youth - and I keep pondering, What am I going to do about it? I also fast forward to the possibility that I may one day be able to have a full family of my own. My daughter will always be my firstborn, but I have completely entrusted her to God and realize that I am not the one who is ultimately in control of her life- He is. If in fact I DO get married and have more children, then I am in a covenant with God to love, lead, and steward them all to the best of my ability.

So yeah, I do have a lot going on─ and it shows no intent of slowing down. But I (we) MUST slow down; because if we allow the hype or drama of life to control our course, then we may fall off the path that has been so graciously laid out for us.

A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. –Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)

Standing in the Gap: The Value of Mentoring

In his book Good to Great in God’s Eyes, author and pastor Chip Ingram states one of my all-time favorite quotes: “A master’s ceiling can become his disciple’s floor if the disciple knows how to absorb the lessons of the master’s life.” In my own experience, I have witnessed countless times the importance, significance, and eternal impact that mentoring creates. I truly believe every one of us should have a mentor and/or an accountability partner because God blesses us with other godly individuals in our walks with Him to help keep us on the straight and narrow.

 

However, there are literally MILLIONS of children going to bed tonight (many right in our own neighborhoods) who do not have that affirmation and protection they so desperately need to make it in today’s society.

 

I’m just going to lay it out to all of us Christian parents: I believe it is our responsibility to seek out and build up today’s youth who may not have strong parental figures of their own.
Obviously mentoring begins at home with our own kids, but I can almost assure you there is a child in need of a little (or a lot!) of guidance within your sphere of influence. Please understand I am not challenging everyone reading this to jump into a full-time mentoring role, but even small amounts of encouragement and generosity can go a long way in a child’s life.

If, in fact, you do find yourself being led to mentor a youth, here are a few quick points to get you going:

1. Be Consistent
Almost without a doubt, a troubled youth has had more than one parent, parental figure, or friend bail in the child’s life. If you do decide to become a mentor, establishing a set day, time, and duration will bring a welcome change of consistency in his or her life.

2. Be Authentic
Despite what the child’s outside life may look like to us, there may be underlying issues such as being lied to, abused (in any form), or manipulated. We are ALL damaged individuals, the difference being as Christian adults we are now capable of trusting and turning it over to Christ. This may or may not be an option for your mentee, so keep that in mind.

3. Be Faithful
There is so much to be said for Christians who actually live their faith out transparently on a daily basis. Stay true to that while mentoring too. Show the love of Jesus through your words or actions and allow the Holy Spirit to direct the relationship. When we do, lives are impacted and generations are changed for God’s glory.

And the King will answer and say to them,
“Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren,
you did it to Me.”
Matt 25:40 (NKJV)

 

Moms and dads, who is the Lord leading you today to begin investing in as a mentor?

 

 

*Origianlly posted at www.1Corinthians13Parenting.com on August 22, 2014