When I grow up I'm going to ___________________________.
How many times did I say that...and fill in the blank with whatever I couldn't do then. Now the question is when will I be all grown up?
The young often think that at some point in the future they will have it all figured out or be able to do whatever they want or, or, or. It seems when we're young we have so many questions. When does that all-elusive future happen? Is there an age? Is there an experience level? What exactly denotes that we have arrived at that place in our life?
The older I get the more I realize what all I don't know. I've had a lifetime of learning--so has the five-year-old, our lifetimes thus far are just different lengths. I think Solomon, given the title in the Bible as the wisest man who ever lived said it well when he suggested those who have attained the wise stature should continue to listen that they might add to their learning, that those who have learned to be discerning should still seek guidance.
This is a principle that can be carried over into every sector of life. It's the value of having a mentor. It's the value of being a mentor. There is always something that I can learn and there is always something I can teach. This can be done in my home with my little ones. It can be done at work on every level of the heirarchy--CEO's need mentors and so does the person in an entry level position. It can be done at church. It can be done among friends.
I've been in my work field for a number of years, but I love to question those who've just come from training--I'm always hoping I'll pick up on a new way of doing something or a new aspect in the newer technology that I haven't learned.
I read a story once about an elderly lady in town that people just seemed to be drawn to. It wasn't anything she did in particular. It wasn't where she lived. It wasn't who she'd been. She was always welcoming. She didn't seem to have an agenda. She didn't always have an answer for every problem. But she listened. She loved. She was generous with her time. While she didn't necessarily give advice she did seem to have a timely word, maybe even in the form of a question. I want to be this lady some day. I want to be a lifetime learner, always taking in so that at the right moment I might have something to give. Isn't that, after all, the reason for the wise to add to their learning and the discerning to seek guidance--not just for themselves, but to have to give to someone in need?
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