It happened twice this week, rather out of the blue. The first time was Tuesday when a friend saw something I posted on Facebook. I was venting about my older daughter’s teacher and used a description that she was afraid her daughter would see. It caught me off-guard, but what she said was, “She looks up to you, and seeing that would crush her.” Wow. I absolutely adore this young lady. She’s lovely, funny and bright, but she doesn’t see herself like her parents and I do. I think of her as the niece I’ll never have (but have always wanted), and I later messaged my friend and said I’d never want to do anything to hurt her or make her stumble.
Then came Wednesday. I was moderating and catching up on the WSP forums and saw a discussion thread on SoapMaker, the lye calculator I use. One member said to me, “You’re my mentor.” Again, a humble wow. This lady is very sweet, we get along great and I think of her as a friend, but I had no idea she sees me as her mentor, someone from whom she can seek guidance and encouragement.
Both of these comments humbled me. There’s something about knowing others are looking at what I do, what I say and what I think and have decided for themselves that it’s good. Or not. If Jesus himself refuses the title of “Good teacher,” when he alone is good, then certainly I should just hold the humble honor that’s in the title of “teacher,” “mentor” and “friend.”
Who’s your mentor? What about that person makes them that for you?
