FAMILY FAITH:Mentors bring encouragement

I reflect upon the people who have made a lasting, positive impact on my life. They are individuals who saw in me what I could not see in myself, and encouraged me to stretch and use my talents. They recognized my potential because they made a habit of looking for it in others. These people believed in me, trusted me and allowed me to stretch my wings, knowing I may or may not surpass them one day.

People like these are mentors. I will never forget these precious individuals and I thank God for them when they come to mind. They helped form who I am today and they taught me the significance of mentoring.

There is extreme value in training others and joy that can come when you recognize that they may grow to outshine you; this also a biblical model of multiplying disciples. While many of us may consider people outside our homes who mentored us in school, in our careers, even to be a good a spouse or parent, ideally mentoring begins at home.

Sunday is Mother's Day. I think of my own mom and grandmother and remember the times I was taught manners, how to cook, how to be moral, spiritual, kind and even how to play (a theology many have lost in the United States).

I was trained in the correct way to clean a kitchen counter by my mom; one grandma taught me how to condition my hair and put perfume behind my ear for my "future husband," another grandma taught me how to be a good cook and baker. Simple life lessons filled with significance. It made me want to teach my own children how to clean, cook, sing, play piano, pray and serve God.

I remember an event that showed me the value of mentoring my own children. I was pregnant with my second child and it was the Christmas season. I was having a tough time getting all the Christmas chores done. I heard my 21-month-old daughter praying.

She was sitting on a Christmas package praying aloud for the first time: "Dear Jesus, please help Mommy. She does not feel good and she has a lot to do. Help her not to be grumpy."

I was amazed at the depth of prayer from one so young. I was struck by her words, humbled because I was grumpy, but still — my toddler way praying — accurately!

Then I remembered: I had mentored her to do so. I did not think of it as mentoring at the time, but I had indeed taught my baby how to pray. My own mom also had taught me about God.

Mentoring begins at home. If you have a good Mama in your life, give her a hug and plenty of love on her day. And remember to mentor others. God calls us to.

Yes, I remember my mentors in school and career, but no one is as special as my mother and grandmothers.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms reading this. You are the wind beneath our wings.