May 11 devotion

As I was walking through the school on an errand earlier I noticed that this was the final day for a program we have at our school called “Lunch Buddies.” And it really touched my heart to see some of the interaction going on between the adults and students. Many students at our school as at most schools struggle with many issues. Some struggle because of a divorce or a death in their family. Some struggle because they are the “new kid” and they do not make friends easily. The lunch buddy program looks for adults who are willing to give one hour a month and eat lunch with one of these children. It’s a great opportunity for a child to have the one-on-one, undivided attention of a Christian adult. I particularly noted the joy and excitement a junior high student was experiencing while playing a board game with a seminary student! I believe this is fulfilling what St. Paul encouraged the early church to do when he says in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (New International Version)
14And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
That sounds like the definition of a mentor! We tend to hear that word a lot these days and most churches offer many opportunities to “mentor.” I know this year we also started a program of having men in the congregation be “encouragers” to the boys in the Confirmation class. Our MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) group has Mentor Moms. I consider every Sunday School and VBS leader to be a mentor to the students in their group. What a great opportunity we have as Christians to impact our community, our country and the world by investing in the life of an individual.

Heavenly Father,
I thank you for the Christians who invested their time in my life. Please encourage all Christians to take advantage of the opportunities you place before them to strengthen and encourage those around them. Send Your Holy Spirit to guide us as we find ways to share our faith in Your Son, Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.