me? a mentor??

Aren't these the most beautiful little girls you have ever seen? (From the left to right, we have Liz, Rachel, and Autumn.) Ok, so they're not so little; two of them start college this fall, and one is engaged to be married. These girls are from the student ministry I have been working with for the past 3 or 4 years. More specifically, they have been my small group, or "cell" group, and eventually the four of us formed an accountability group. Needless to say, I am really close to these girls. I have been a part of their lives since they were in junior high!

It's an amazing responsibility to be placed in a mentoring position. I must say that I learned as much from them as they might have learned from me. The time I have spent with them over the years has been a BLAST. These are the silliest and most hilarious girls of all time. There have been tough times--times I wish I could protect them from the storms of life, or from making poor choices. I had to learn, however, that they belonged to God, not me. I can only hope that the example I lived before them had a positive impact and that Jesus was reflected. I often wonder why He uses me for ministry such as this, and then I remember the "resumes" of the disciples and the apostles, and everyone else He has used throughout history. Then I don't feel quite so bad. It's not that I am able, but that I am willing to be used by God. It has become another confirmation that "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called". It's another step in the journey, preparing me for the future.

Because these beautiful ladies are moving on and moving out, our relationship will never be the same. It makes me sad. But I thank God for the bond that has been created, for it's the type of bond that will stand the test of time.