Mentoring As Kindness

Mentoring as Kindness

One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.

Psalm 145:4, NIV

I always felt like I was in way over my head at my first job out of college. At just twenty-one years old, working with hospice patients and their families was a bit overwhelming and intimidating for me. One person who helped me get through that tough first year was my supervisor. As a wiser, older woman who had spent many years in the field, she knew I’d need support, and she spent hours with me each month talking through cases and offering me support, both professionally and personally. Looking back now, I realize the importance of her taking the time to mentor me as a young person in the workforce.

Just recently at a Bible study I attend, a fellow mom shared about how an older couple in her church has taken her and her family under their wing. My friend was not raised in a Christian environment, and this has put her in the predicament of having a lot of questions when it comes to Christlike parenting. Her older, wiser friends are there to offer her wisdom, love, and support anytime she needs them.

At any stage of life, we have the ability to mentor others. If we are young in our professions, we can mentor teenagers who are still deciding what they want to do with their lives. If we’re well into our careers, we can take under our wings the new recruits who come into our offices. Even once we’ve retired, we can offer wisdom to the younger generations—wisdom that comes only from walking through many years of life’s challenges.

Mentoring others is one way we can honor God’s command in Psalm 145: we are to commend God’s works to one another and tell of his mighty acts. We all have something to offer, and when we pass on our wisdom to others, we not only extend kindness to the person we’re helping, but we honor God as well.

—Kendra

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Take a little time to mentor someone who may need a little encouragement, instruction, or wisdom.