Many women are asking, "How do I find or become a mentor?" Most of us want good strong connected relationships, but are you willing to do whatever it takes to have it? The first tip to a mentored relationship (on page 115 in the book) is: Discover Your Heart's Desire. Figure out what needs YOU have (Do you need help primarily with your marriage, your kids, yourself, or your career, etc.?) and SEARCH for the BEST living example you can find. Whatever void you feel in your heart, PRAY and ALLOW God to answer your needs through those He puts in your path. If you meet someone who is willing to connect with you, DON'T be afraid to call and get together. "Keep on asking and it will be given you: keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opend to you. For everone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened." Matthew 7:7,8

I was a strong willed, young mom who was called to be a leader's wife, but I felt insecure. Joy was the best living example of a leader's wife I had ever met. We met one evening 23 years ago and I followed up by inviting her to lunch. I arranged a babysitter for my daughter and picked up Joy since she was new to the area. We had the best time together and we stayed in touch.

If you want to mentor, be available. Be WILLING to be hospitable and receptive when someone younger or inexeperienced makes the littlest effort to get together. Don't worry about misunderstanding or personal rejection. The same healthy foundational principles for a good friendship or marriage apply to mentoring.

I had no idea that God was simultaneously filling a void for Joy as well because her husband had recently died and she felt lonely. Her heart's desire was to help people, so Joy was TRUE to her heart's desire by responding to the invitation to get together. God filled the huge emptiness in her life with our friendship, which evolved into a valuable mentoring relationship.

If you are looking for a mentor, start by asking yourself questions like these:
Where do I feel most needy in my life? What issues or problems keep popping up that I need help solving? What negative behaviors do I need to work on? Do I feel there are areas of my life that truly need improvement? Who do I look up to? What type of personality and character traits am I attracted to? Are these traits that I should be attracted to?

If you would like to be a mentor, start by asking yourself questions like these:
Am I willing to talk when I am approached by someone in need? Am I open to new friendships? Am I willing to take the time and risk to get close to someone? Am I patient and willing to go through the process?

I would LOVE to hear any feedback or any of your personal experiences. Please tell me! I would also LOVE to hear any questions and I will prayerfully do my best to answer them. I look forward to hearing from you soon! Go for it!

Dear Friends,

God's reign drops are starting to fall on each of us and this Holy Spirit anointed mentoring movement. We need to connect with each other and make it safe to love each other so we can be who He meant us to be. We reap what we sow and as you sow seeds of righteousness, God will bless you. It is all about Jesus and He loves us so much He blesses us! I received the following note before the book was published:

"Lindsey, I know you have no idea who this person is sending you an e-mail. Well first let me explain. I spent a month at my son and daughter-in-laws home, after a very tramatic experience I had just had. I saw your manucript, and was interested with the title, since some how God has managed to put so many young women in my life. The more I read your manuscript, the more I knew I had to read. I wanted to say thank you for putting this out, and do you have your book out yet?

Now, I guess I need to let you know who I am, my name is Naomi, and I am Dave Yearwood's mom and Catherine is my daughter-in-law, the funny thing is I am mentoring her, and she has become a mentor to a couple of girls on Wrightsville beach. I am very blessed by this manuel, and am always picking it up. So thank you. God love you, and the kids are doing great.

In His Love, Naomi Parker" 1.18.06

Make A Difference Mentoring Woman To Woman

p. 97 in book:

"Out in the highway and byways of life

Many are weary and sad.

Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,

Making the sorrowing glad.

Chorus:

Make me a blessing

Make me a blessing

Out of my life may Jesus shine

Make me a blessing, oh Savior, I pray

Make me a blessing to someone today.

Author Unknown"

As Jesus is Our Biggest Blessing and Naomi is passing the Blessing,

be a blessing today even in the littlest way,

Lindsey

Dear Friends,

You are a blessing! God created each one of us with an inborn heartfelt desire to make a difference in the world which we live. This desire fulfilled gives us meaning for living. And it starts in the littlest way. Just as rain drops make thunderstorms, God's "reigndrops make showers of blessings". So do not forsake the littlest opportunity to be a blessing in someone's life, even if it's just to let the car in front of you go first. We women can sometimes feel so depleted that there is almost nothing left to give. Am I giving it my all? Jesus knows how you feel.

"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything— all she had to live on." Mark 12:41-44