This week while Dr. Bengtson is continuing to recover from a several week-long bout with pneumonia, her friend and author Jayme Hull, will be answering a question based on her newly released book, “Face To Face Discover How Mentoring Can Change Your Life.”
Dear Jayme,
I know your book is about mentoring but how did your passion for mentoring begin?
Great question. When I arrived in NYC to become a Broadway star, I often felt about two inches tall and totally lost. Just a number in a huge crowd, surrounded by highly competitive people. Sure, I attended classes and knew a few people but I was not connected and certainly not plugged into a close community. After a few months of isolation, I had the courage to walk to Times Square and walk into a church. The pastor there listened to my story and connected me with a mentor. This woman was further down the road in her faith and she began to pour into my life on a regular basis and my life was changed forever.
How can I begin to have a safe mentoring relationship?
Finding a mentoring relationship is not just about us, but it is about God working in us for what He wants to do through us. The frequent question I receive from most women is:
“How do you find a mentor?”
1. Step out.
When I was seeking a mentor, I decided to step out and ask for help.
Ask someone to introduce you to someone that you can learn from, grow with and be nurtured by. Someone further along the path in her faith and life experiences.
2. Reach out.
Meeting and observing other Christians around you and I can sometimes be awkward and difficult but it is well worth our time. All of us need the courage to walk across the room and begin a face to face authentic conversation.
Watch the people surrounding you at church, work, where you volunteer or workout and exercise.
Reach out to someone you already know and admire. Share your desire to learn from them and ask them to meet with you for coffee to discuss mentoring.
Faith involves risk taking. You and I must intentionally step out of our comfort zone and seek others in an authentic mentoring relationship.
Ezra 10:4 “Get up…Be strong…Take action.”
As you look for a mentor don’t forget to pray first and ask for God’s guidance.
Psalm 120:1 “ In my troubles I pled with God to help me and he did!”
God will lead you to the mentoring relationship that will help you to grow and help you to discover your God-given calling. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find a mentor right away, trust that God has the situation under control and will lead you to the right person in his timing.
“I believe mentoring isn’t just a nice idea. It’s critical for your growth—professionally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. Mentoring can make the difference between success and significance. Between performing at work and developing your potential. Between doing and becoming.”
For more information about mentoring relationships, see the newly released book by Moody Press, “Face To Face Discover How Mentoring Can Change Your Life” by Jayme Hull. Check it out on Amazon here.
You can read more from Jayme at jaymeleehull.com.
Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
(If you have a question you’d like Dr. B to answer, contact her here now. Your name and identity will be kept confidential.)
I learned so much by reading this wonderful book. I have mentors and I am a mentor. 🙂
Mentoring is such a gift. One of my fave Confirmation classes to watch was when students choose a mentor. I loved watching them and their mentors together. Blessed to be your neighbor at Three Word Wednesday this week. Michelle, hope you’re feeling better!
Jayme: So lovely to “meet you” through Michelle’s blog! Your book sounds wonderful, and this is a subject I am passionate about.
Michelle: Sweet friend, praying for you as you continue to rest and recover. Much love
Great answers to a basic but so needed question! I wish more people were asking it. Thanks for the post and for linking up with Christian Fellowship!
God morning, my friend!
Mentor or make mistakes. The trials of any new adventure will find us and we get chose to have a long slow learning curve or a steep one with a mentor guiding us, step by step.
I believe mentoring is so helpful. I’ve had many mentors throughout my life and I’ve also mentored others in a way. The book sounds like a really good one! Blessings to you! I’m your neighbor at the #RaRaLinkup.