About three years ago, I wrote a post that has come back to me over and over again. I had this desire for a mentor who would ask me tough questions and be committed and intentional about our friendship.
Here are a few excerpts:
“I am praying for a woman who is in a committed and healthy marriage. I am praying for a woman that can offer fresh perspective to my life. I am praying for a woman who is wise. I am praying for a woman who is a leader. I am praying for a woman who is deeply rooted in scripture…I’m praying for a woman who can slap me upside the head with truth…I’m praying for a woman who is willing to invest time into my life. To grow with me.”
I’m not very good at writing down prayer requests and then checking later to see when they have been answered. I’m not that strategic yet. But I did write this post, and good golly, was that prayer ever answered. Like I’ve often found, it was answered in bigger ways than I ever thought possible.
I don’t have a woman; I have many women.
I have a hilarious woman who makes things happen, who is thoughtful and no-nonsense. I have a woman who is a feeler with an incredibly wise and gentle soul. I have a woman who is sassy and determined. I have a woman who is observant and calm. I have a woman in leadership I look up to. I have a woman who is brilliant and analytical. I have a woman who is deep and philosophical. I have a woman who is a constant encourager and cheerleader. I have a woman I barely know who stops me in the church foyer for two minutes, and then sends me scripture via another one of my women.
I didn’t find just one. I found many. And oh, am I ever thankful.
None of these women are the same age or in the same stage as me and I’m richer for it. If I’m faced with a difficult decision, I consult my counsel of wise women. The funny thing is, they usually come to the same conclusions. If that many wise women from different walks of life agree unanimously, I know I’m on the right track. It’s eerie how often they echo one another’s words, when some of them barely know each other.
Over and over I find myself telling people to seek wise counsel. It’s maybe the most important thing I’ve learned in life so far. Don’t make decisions in a homogenous bubble. Pray for people who can challenge you, hold you accountable, love you well and laugh with you. Trust me on this one.
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