Category Archives: Mentoring

Posted on

TEACHABLE MOMENTS

God's Love and Discipling of Others (Especially our Children) Starts with Us

by


“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:20-23

As I was reading a blog by Keith Webb on “How Vulnerability Makes you a Stronger Leader” I read two insights on leadership and vulnerability: 

“When we honestly acknowledge our faults and weaknesses we unlock leader development dynamics that strengthen not only you but the people around you.”

“Being vulnerable really comes down to humbly acknowledging weakness, asking for help and empowering others to use their strength” (keithwebb.com)

MOTHER, THE CEO

What stands out in your mind’s eye as you read these quotes above? As mothers we have the opportunity to grow in skills of leadership development too. Yes, leadership development. We are leading, as well as modeling what leadership looks like to our children. Scary thought.

So what leadership dynamics are you learning along the way?  

As parents we don’t always have the answers yet we make our kids often feel we do. What happens when they are grown and don’t always have the answers? What are we modeling for them?  

It is in those “Teachable Moments” where we find some of our greatest growth and most significant impact.  Below is a simple story (not always this clear) where the principles of leadership are displayed and can be applied in most any situation as we work with people.

When our daughter was 13, now 33, she decided she wanted to cut her hair. I was out for the evening so the next morning when I went to wake her up for school I noticed her hair.  The whole front of her hair had been chopped off.  “Kelli what did you do?”  I could have used a little bit of humor at that moment. (more…)

Posted on

WHAT STORY ARE YOU DYING TO TELL?

The importance of writing down your stories

by

240_f_81799763_dbraaaslp4mauv5jroakdgtcwdegrbmv-1

I John 1:4-5, “4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

What excuses are you making for not writing down your stories? We share our stories but we often don’t write them down. Can you say God is working in your life? How much more could God be praised by others reading about what Jesus is doing in your daily stories?

A Few Examples of Excuses 

     1. Sterling’s personal story: 

I have a learning disability.  I often get my words mixed up. I have to say things in my head first before I say them out loud or they come out backwards. I often struggle through saying big words with 3 or more syllabus.

You could say like me, “I don’t see myself as a writer”. I know if I want others to tell their stories, I have to do it too.  I want to set the example that God can work through someone even like me who has trouble speaking sometimes. If I had used this as an excuse you wouldn’t be hearing my stories; this blog would never have happened.

So what do I do? I have friends and various people who like what I have to say and are willing to take their gift of editing and correct my work so it is readable for you. I didn’t say perfect, but readable. :}

     2. Moses’ story, in the Bible: 

We have the stories of Moses and are encouraged by them.  Exodus 4 tells us that Moses had trouble with his speech. What did God do? God gave him Aaron to speak for him but eventually Moses learned to speak himself.

The more we do something the better we get at it. Take time to read his story and maybe like me you will be encouraged.

Why Write Down Your Stories?

(more…)

Posted on

HOME MINISTRY

Talking Points

by

Matthew 28:18-20 “Go, Make Disciples of all nations,  baptizing and teaching…”

513jx6YkfsL._AA160_51KRU96XlbL._AA160_

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just finished reading a novel today called “Stolen Child” by Kimberly Rae. Asha, an adopted Indian young lady raised in the States, came home from her short-term summer missions trip to India. When she returned home, Asha had a hard time getting the faces of the stolen girls/children forced to work the red-light districts out of her mind even months after being back in America.

As she remembered the needs and helplessness on their faces, Asha struggled to enjoy the privilege of living in the States. “It taunted her, attacked her with guilt”, as the author so well put it. “How could she buy a special drink for 4 dollars when those girls would sell themselves for less than that?” Asha would say, “How can I enjoy myself when so many others are suffering”? She had a difficult time coming to terms with those conflicting emotions.  

While in India she looked forward to getting home. She was excited to show off her pictures, telling all her friends, family, and churches, about her new friends, the orphanage she worked at, and the possibility of rescuing more girls from their bad situations. (more…)

Posted on

Contentment

When the Road is not So Clear

by

I Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain”

Transitions are never a straight line. It is hard to see when they will end. There is much grieving for what you left behind and often a mixture of excitement, fear and uncertainty as you face the future. God says, “godliness with contentment is great gain.” How do we get to a place of contentment in the midst of change? 

Where are you in the process?  

When I was young, I would often go up onto a little hill between my home and our neighbors’ so I could climb on a swing that hung from a great, big beautiful tree. I would stay up there for hours, singing and talking to God. It was the best feeling. I didn’t know who Jesus was, but I knew there was something out there—a God—and He must love me. I always wondered what life was going to be like when I grew up. I felt safe singing on my swing, but outside of that, there were a lot of unknowns and fears in my life.

20151012154337003_0001 (1)

Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (more…)

Posted on

WHY WRITE DOWN YOUR STORIES?

Pass on the Good Work of God through Stories to the Next Generation

by

“Older women ….so train the young women to ….so that the word of God may not be reviled” (Titus 2:3-5) 

Scan 10 

Do you often feel like no one cares or is listening? You think what you are doing is not that important?  Do you see certain needs, and want others to come around you to help but somehow feel you are the only one with the vision?

In 2000, I was interviewing a leader from an International Organization. She had been the President’s wife of that company for many years. She was a counterpart of mine at that time but she was considered one of those “older women who could teach younger women” like myself.  

I was just starting out as a corporate leader’s wife at that time, and had a desire for reaching out to our women around the world. I liked what I saw in her experience and spirit and wanted to learn from her as I went forward. (more…)

Posted on

GRANDSLAM

Mentoring and Playing Tennis: Life Lessons

by

II Timothy 2:2:  “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men (and women) who will be able to teach others also”

IMG_1529 (2)

As Jim and I were out hitting yesterday on the tennis court, I remembered the early days of when we first began playing. I smiled and couldn’t help but thank God. We have come a long way since then.

It also dawned on me, my experience of training to play tennis mirrors in many ways mentoring. Can you think of something you didn’t know how to do but now you can perform without thinking? How did you become so competent? Take even something like learning to drive a car, there are life lessons everywhere that we in turn give to others. Mentoring is in nearly every level of life.

(more…)