Recently God did a really cool thing. He put it on someone else’s heart to ask if I’d like to have a special friendship with her, one that would be a godly friendship for the sake of being mentors with each other and keeping each other accountable. Now I have a new BFF – Best Friend in Faith!
This all began when a friendly acquaintance from another church shared her excitement about changes God was bringing to her life. She asked if I’d like to meet for lunch so she could tell me about them. She was so excited that I was excited, too! We met just a few days later for what would be a very special meeting.
God was looking out for both of us when He brought us together. My friend, still excited, began by asking what I was currently involved with. I had to chuckle when she asked because that very morning God had conversed with me telling me that when people ask what I do, I need to tell them specifically, not just say that I’m active in the church and help at my son’s school. I was instructed to share my involvements and was specifically instructed to tell people that I’m starting a mentoring program because it might be helpful to others to know. “OK,” I thought, “I’ll do that.” It wasn’t even two hours later that my new friend was asking me what I do! Remembering the conversation God had with me, I gave specific details and ended by telling her that I was developing a mentoring program.
When I mentioned the mentoring program, her eyes got big and I think a light bulb appeared over her head. She said she knew why God wanted her to meet with me and proceeded to tell me that she was seeking a mentoring-type friend. I couldn’t believe it! That was exactly what I needed, too! We were dining in McAlister’s Deli. I actually looked up to see if a bright ray of light was shining down on us because we were obviously having a God moment!
We’ve now met three times and each meeting has been wonderful! She discovered a book called “Conversations on Purpose” by Katie Brazelton. It’s an excellent tool for guiding our discussions and leading us through self-discovery for the purpose of better serving God and others. We’ve only completed the first conversation, and already it’s been enlightening for each of us!
I have MANY awesome friends in my life who bless me in wonderful ways. God has been so good to me. My dearest friends is my husband and I love him the most. However, there’s something really special about having a divinely appointed friend outside of marriage whose main purpose in friendship is to be a godly friend.
Now I’m even more excited about the mentoring program we’ll present to our church in the fall now that I’ve experienced firsthand how wonderful these special relationships are! You don’t have to be in a special program to find a mentor or accountability partner. Pray about this and see if God brings someone to mind for YOU to invite to be this special friend. I will be praying for God to do this for others as I continue to pray for His guidance in the program we’ll start soon.
May God bless you with the gift of godly friendship!
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June 12, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Angie
This is where I stand and have been standing for quite some time. I hear all the time of people commenting about how a mentor has or is helping them.
Several months back i becan praying for God to lay my name on the heart of someone that would be willing to step into this position.
Not too long after I began a new friendship with a woman. Let me just stop here and say, opening up is something that is not easy for me especially face to face. During our first meeting, I poured out my heart to this woman about everything going on in my life and all the struggles I feel I am up against. The flood gates opened and it was such a good feeling to get so much off my chest.
During our time together I found out she has a degree in Christian counseling, was mentored to and has been a mentor a couple of times. So before we left she asked if there was anything she could for me. My heart was screaming please mentor me but the words never came out.
It is hard for me to ask for help from anyone, for anything. I had prayed for God to place MY name on someones heart and come to me.
As I type this now I have just been reminded of something I have prayed for. For God to give me the courage to step out of my comfort zones. Could this be it? He is providing what seems to be the perfect person to guide me through this time.
I started out with the intentions to ask you if I should wait for her to be led by the Holy Spirit to me……but now I feel asking is part of the growing process that I need to go through.
Oh.. such a big step for me. I asked to be taken from my comfort zone……