First, I want to dive in real quick and introduce myself. I myself don’t love a ridiculously long blog read - like recipe blogs especially - can we just get to the recipe dude?
So I’ll get to it!
I’m Tori, I live on the coast of North Carolina but am a homegrown Michigan girl and grew up by the lake. I claim full blown southerner-hood now after 4 years in the south, though! The food, the ocean, the lifestyle, I love it all. However, there will never be a dang thing that comes close to a Michigan summer by the lake!
I have a hubby of almost 9 years who’s my bff, two aussies, and a smiley son, Shepherd. After battling infertility, we finally got our little Shep. We’re small farm beekeepers, and I still dabble with photography..
I love all things interior design, gardening, plants, nature and fashion (love me some shoes!). Encouragement is a gift of mine, and I love to encourage others in the Lord - we can use every inch of it we can get these days! I’m always trying to glean from leadership/self improvement podcasts or Christian psychology books and I believe there is something we can learn from everyone.
But Jesus is the center of everything for me, and I wouldn’t be here today without his provision and grace. In humility and love, I hope I can encourage you in one way or another in this space. *virtual hugs*
God laid this topic on my heart, because we are living in the most self- isolating, people- dispensing culture that we have ever seen. Because of our lack of community, more than ever we need someone to walk alongside us. Someone with wisdom and grace who has already journeyed down our path. Which is - Mentors! Friend, you need yourself a mentor. We’re not meant to do this life alone, we’re meant to live in community but also, as followers of Christ were called to seek wise counsel. My opinion is one thing, but Jesus’ opinion is the one that matters most. Here’s what His word says about counsel and instruction:
Proverbs 16:20 says, “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.”
Proverbs 11:14 “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
Proverbs 28:26 “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”
Proverbs 15:22 “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”
Proverbs 19:20-21 “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”

Instruction and advice is vital for growth! Especially growing spiritually! I have had mentors, and I have been a mentor. If you have never done either of those, if you’ll allow me to share some things I’ve learned they could be beneficial.
First, seek a mentor with a humble heart and be eager to learn wisdom and perspective. Craig Groeschel said this well in one of his podcasts,“Intention matters when approaching other people.”Ask yourself these questions:
Do I respect this person enough to speak into my life?
Do they have character that reflects Jesus? (obviously, remember they’re not perfect and allow grace, too!) There’s somebody for everybody.
Secondly, age can matter. I’ve always had mentors who were much older.. Some were incredible and invaluable, but others, even in their older age, gave unsound advice that I had to discard.
Discernment is so important. You might even start meeting with someone and realize that it isn’t working out. Maybe they aren’t meant to be your mentor, but instead a friend. Maybe you’re meant to correct them in encouragement, if they’re older than you.
1 Timothy 1-2 says, “Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.”
In other words, don’t correct them in a way of telling them they’re wrong but humbly encourage them in another direction.
Third, I’m gonna go ahead and put my second point into practice right now - older women in the church, please, please, if you can, make yourselves available to us younger women. We need your gentle correction, advice and encouragement. Notice, Proverbs 15:22 says “with many advisers plans succeed”. Especially in the world we live in today, we need those little nuggets of wisdom from many of you wise God loving women.
Go out on a limb, friend! Boldly approach that person you want to sponge wisdom from. Ask them to mentor you. The worst they can say is no! I pray this encouraged you today. Be sure to subscribe to get informed of my monthly encouragement. I won’t bombard you with e-mails, just once a month! Have an amazing day!

Comments