Sunday evening (27 Nov '11) we happened to get hooked into watching 60 Minutes and being deeply moved by the segment that began the program. One of the regulars on the program, Scott Pelley, did a tremendous job of interviewing homeless families in Florida.
When you've the time, click on the underlined 60 Minutes above and view what we saw. Every family member was worth listening to, but one 15yo really caught my attention, Arielle Metzger. When you watch the program, watch her eyes (frankly, pay attention to everyone's eyes in this clip...even their whole faces). Be alert to two sentences she speaks:
Concerning being homeless and making the most of it she said, "It's only life. You do what you need to do. Right?"
When Scott commends her for her sinceretiy and maturity (her younger brother, Austin, has a cute brotherly quip here...) she, with fire in her eyes that are connected to her young soul states: "I plan to be a child defense lawyer." Amazing how commited she is to her schoolwork and getting an education...with circumstances of her, her father and brother.
So when you look at these families...
...who and what do you see?
When you look into the faces of those you mentor...
...who and what do you see?
This mirror hangs on the end of one of the cabinets in our kitchen. We found it a few summers back on a visit to Jackson Hole, WY. It keeps us grounded and reminded that we bear God's image...the reflection of the Triune in all we say and do within our home...and wherever else we find ourselves. That's what each of us was created for. That's what you were created for...and each person you mentor!
As Thanksgiving heralds the annual holiday season one more time, I've been, in my early morning ponderings, slowly (...as in v e r y slowly...) reading in Martin Laird's extra rich book, Into The Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation. If you are following me on Twitter (@thewesroberts), most of the questions I'm asking there come out of my pondering from what I'm soaking up in this book.
Soon after we encounter the beginning words in the Bible, "In the beginning God created...."...and as the account continues on in Genesis, chapter one (...from both the NIV and the Message) we further read, "Let us make human beings in our image, in our likeness...Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature. (Why?) so they can be responsible...God created human beings, he created them godlike, reflecting God's nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible!...."
Jeremiah, that OT prophet who was the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests from the tribe of Benjamin, states that he heard the following from God (Jer. 1:5...the Message): This is what God said: "Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you:...."
Some how this evening I believe that for Arielle Metzger and her brother Austin in that 60 Minutes piece. What? These two kids, made in God's image...just like you and me...God has holy plans for them. You, too? Yup! Me? Indeed! Those we mentor? Of course.......!!!
A large part of mentoring, I believe, for you, for me, for those we mentor is to intentionally keep in mind that we are dealing with God's creation in each human we walk with and guide into the future. We look into their faces...we see the face of God, one created in God's image...another, like us, who's been created in the image of God. They, hopefully, see the same when they look into our faces.
No matter the stories you hear...or share...I encourage you to remember this blog post when you next mentor...and when you next look in any mirror at yourself. We'll talk some more about this next Monday.
© Three3rdsMedia 201...in association with LeadershipDesignGroup
I will do this in an hours time when I speak to one of my coachees. Thank you once again for reminding us what and whom lies within us and the difference this makes when the world looks our way!
Posted by: Pablo | November 28, 2011 at 03:49 AM
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