Words of Hope: The Gift of Mentoring
My Dad believed in the intentional work of mentoring. Many of you reading Words of Hope are testimonies of Dad’s investment in your life. My husband, Shann, is a perfect example of Dad’s mentoring vision. Shann traveled around with Dad to schools and churches, and Dad would call on him to speak without notice. Dad expected Shann to deliver a 5-10 minute impromptu speech to several hundred people— often not knowing the topic until moments before.
Shann learned through this training invaluable skills which elevate his ability as a professor, lecturer, and public speaker. Shann is naturally introverted, and I believe without this direct repetitious mentoring, would have found public speaking odious at worst and fatiguing at best. Public speaking is easy for him and life-giving because my Dad gave him a lifelong skill through thoughtful training and love.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord.” – Psalm 19:14
