My niece is very unique when compared to today’s average teenager. She is a godly young woman who is actively seeking the face of God. She possesses wisdom beyond her years and a spirit of humility that is all to often absent for this generation of youth. I am not deceived in my thoughts of her. Yes, I know her and love her dearly. Yes, at times, I think that she can do no wrong (smile). She is very dear to me. When I entered her family 12 years ago, she was my flower girl. For a year prior, she was my shadow. So, to say that she has a special place in my heart, is a mild understatement. But, I have seen her grow up. I have witnessed the instruction, the discipline, the time and the love that was invested in her by her parents. For the last four years she has spent several weeks out of her summer working for John and I in the office of our auto body shop. She has displayed a wonderful work ethic. She gets herself up every morning and prepares for the day. She works from 8 a.m. to 5:30p.m. everyday and never once asked if she could take a day off. We pay her for her duties. But, she is not working because she lacks for anything. She just loves being with us in Big Spring. The few weeks per summer that we have her with us is the part that we look forward to most. She is seventeen now and this is the summer before her senior year-most likely the last summer that we will have her with us like this. I already miss it! During the time that she has been here, we have built an even closer friendship. She has confided in me things that I know were some of her deepest thoughts and feelings.
She is with us now and a couple of weeks before her arrival she asked me a question. She asked me if I would pray about being her mentor. She is dating a boy who lives nearby and they are planning on seeing a lot of each other while she is here. She is reading a book by Dannah Gresh called and the Bride Wore White. The author recommends that young women find a mentor in who they can go to with questions and support. She likens a mentor as unto a “Moses”. This is what she says, “When I think of Moses, I think of the burning bush and the passion that it brought to his life. He took some of the power of God that he received at that bush and used it in the lives of other people. When I think of women in my life who were like Moses to me, I think of a burning, passionate flame.” She challenges the young women, “Find a burning flame…find a burning flame in your life to look for guidance and encouragement.” When I read this, I have a rush of emotions. I am honored that she sees me as a Moses in her life. I am scared that I might guide her in the wrong direction. I am also led to think back to the different Moses’ in my life. But, mostly I feel a deep sense of responsibility. I am going to be seeking God out daily during this process. This is going to lead me closer to God. She is not only listening to my words, but she is studying my life. I pray that I don’t fail her, but mostly I pray that I do not fail God.
