Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Mentor

She's in her 80's now and has mentored me for 20 years.  She's lately begun a new journey - that of widowhood - and she wanted to share with me what He's been teaching her in this new season.  So she called me to "do lunch" yesterday.

She told me of God's incredible faithfulness and steadfast love.  She told me of her husband's last days and how they found joy amidst pain and beauty amidst death.  She told me what she still struggles with and how much more she's learned to trust Him.  She told me ways to help others - in case I need to minister to someone who is grieving.  And we cried a little.

Then she wanted to know about the boys and about what I'm doing and about what He's teaching me.  It all came gushing out and she smiled and nodded her head and told me that I'm trying too hard and to relax.  And we laughed a little.

When she paid the bill, I noticed her gait is a little slower and her eyes a little dimmer.  And when she hugged me good-bye at the door, I wondered if this would be our final parting.  Then she told me that I am her inspiration, her prize.

Oh my, dear one.  I shine because He used you to teach me how.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful.....

Lori in Texas said...

Thank you for this... my 90 yr old mentor died two yrs ago and I especially miss her in April when we would drive the back farm roads of KS picking daffodils and lilacs from abandoned farms... laughing... joyful... like two teenaged girlfriends. In spirit you will never part from your beloved mentor, Julie.

Did anyone else mention your booklist didn't appear on your post? I sure would love to read it!

Julie said...

Lori,

Do you mean the book list on the previous post about the book sale?

Julie

Lori said...

Yes, it has the first paragraph and the photo but not the list...