Youth

                         Mentoring:  Bringing our Youth Closer to God

Life should be what you make it….but everyone knows that people will have many different experiences, views, and opinions of how they feel about themselves or about life in general. I strongly believe that youth can benefit from having mentors and would like to share some points on this subject.

Let me begin by saying that we do not know the history that a young person may have already been through, know what issues they may be currently dealing with at home or school, or know how they may feel about themselves or how their life is going. Sadly, many people may put on a face like everything is going well or have an attitude like they don’t care about how their life may be but they actually are really struggling with something and are just waiting for someone to reach out to them.

A mentor is someone who is a consistent friend and role model. This person agrees to commit time and energy to develop a supportive relationship with a young person. Anyone can be a mentor and you can not only benefit yourself from doing so but you will also greatly benefit the young person you grow a relationship with. A person can benefit by being a mentor in the following ways:

·          Receiving fulfillment as a result of affecting a child’s life or making a difference in the world

·          Gaining a new friend

·          Having an opportunity to be creative

·          Learning effective listening and problem-solving skills

Youth can benefit from this experience in the following ways:

·          Goal setting skills

·          Effective problem-solving skills

·          Respect for people

·          Communication and leadership skills

·          Improved academic performance

·          Improved peer/family relationships

·          Improved self esteem

I would like to share a couple of favorite verses of mine that may help encourage you and to remind us all that we are to strive for our behavior to be one that we would like to see repeated by others.

Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”.

 1 Timothy 4:12-13: “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers in speech, in life, in love, and in purity.  Until I come devote yourselves to the public reading of scripture, to preaching and teaching”.

I believe that life should be enjoyed one day at a time because everyday is a blessing. One never knows how much a simple smile, hug, or asking someone how they are doing will mean to others.

Please feel free to share any experience you have with mentoring or any suggestions with us so we all can benefit.

Katrina Liby