| The Character of a Spiritual Mentor | | Posted on Monday, February 22, 2010 at 6:00am | Not all of us were blessed with a Christian mother. Many of us didn’t even have a loving mother who was actively involved in our lives. Maybe you are the only Christian in your family or perhaps your mother lives miles away. I’m very thankful that my sons and their wives live so close and work and worship with us. Just yesterday Timothy  and I had the joy of watching our two granddaughters. I know many of my friends’ children live great distances away, and I have a rare gift to have mine own so close by. It also places a great responsibility and desire to mentor my daughters.
What is the character of a Spiritual Mentor or “Mom?”
In her Face-to-Face bible study series (New Hope) for mentors and mentees, Janet Thompson describes a mentor.
"A mentor doesn’t need to be an expert on the Bible or God, and she doesn’t need to have a perfect life. If that were the case, none of us would qualify. A mentor simply needs to be willing to share her life experiences with another woman and be an example of a role model of how a Christian woman does life. And how do we learn to be a godly role model? Answer: “Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith” (Hebrews 13:7 NLT).
Mentoring is not doing a ministry: It’s being a godly woman who follows the Lord’s command: “One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4)."
That’s what TheSpiritualMom.com is about—passing a spiritual legacy onto the next generation. Let me share with you my definitions or idea of a spiritual mentor.
A Spiritual Mentor or "Mom" is:
1. Purposeful. She takes her role as a mentor seriously and is determined to share her life with others. She’s not pushy, forcing relationships, but allows her mentees to accept and pursue the relationship as well. She prayerfully and continually mentors silently and outwardly, allowing the Holy Spirit to form and direct the relationship.
2. Transparent. While we’re not perfect, a godly woman aims for perfection (2 Cor. 13:11) and in doing so admits her weaknesses and sins. A spiritual mentor knows that confessing her struggles and sins provides her mentees healing and hope to deal with similar situations (James 5:16).
 3. Discerning. She doesn’t have all the answers; in fact, she knows all wisdom comes from God (James 1:5). Her goal is to hear from God when giving advice and instructions. She looks for what God is up to in the other person’s life.
4. Relationship oriented. She first makes sure her relationship with God is strong and steadfast, and spends time each day building that relationship. She builds strong relationships with her family and other women."But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today" (Hebrews 3:13).
5. A reflection of the Holy Spirit. A spiritual mentor reflects the nurturing image of God through her counsel and comforting of those she mentors. She is crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20) so that others see him in her actions and words. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18).
When Christ left this world he promised to never leave us alone and gave his Holy Spirit to those who obey him (Acts 5:32). When we surrender our hearts to the Spirit, he guides and directs us how to live in community with one another.
Related Post: What Makes a Spiritual Mom?; Blogging at Christian Momlogic; Biblical Truth in Ordinary Life | | | | |
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