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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Learning From Those Who Have Gone Before

I have encountered mentors. Some I have met in person. Others I have meet in books. Elisabeth Elliot (Passion and Purity), Corrie ten Boom (The Hiding Place), and George Mueller are some of my mentors through reading.

Elisabeth Elliot taught me about waiting for marriage, setting boundaries, and when to say "I love you." When my hubby (then boyfriend) and I discussed her book, we decided to incorporate her approach of love. Her husband was taught to "never say I love you without having an engagement ring and being ready to propose AND never propose without having said I love you." We incorporated that into our lives and the first time my husband (then boyfriend) said I love you, he had a ring and shortly became my fiance.

Corrie ten Boom taught me the importance of memorizing scripture (for I may not always have a Bible). She taught me how it looks to serve with gladness and what it means to love your enemies (she turned her childhood home into a refuge for those who collaborated with the Nazis during the war).

George Mueller taught me about prayer. His autobiography teaches me that I need to pray in line with God's will and keep praying until it's answered. I learned a lot about what it means to live dependently on God and to trust Him to provide. He modeled how to claim God's scriptural promises.

Corrie and George died before I was born, but their words continue to instruct me. Now I'm not saying that their books are better than the Bible or that they are equal to God, but rather, that in learning about their lives and their faith, I can get inspiration, ideas, and encouragement.

Who are the men and women of the faith that you admire, respect, or learn from? Have you told them thank you?

2 comments:

  1. Early on, I knew I had a mentor in the form of a wise and Godly Grandmother (even though I had never heard the term "mentor"). I found out that I could learn from her and trust her judgement and direction that she shared and lived. She was not concerned with the desires of this world, nor was she influenced by worldly standards. She was as in tune with God and His leadings as anyone I had, or have ever known. It took me a while to see the full picture of why she lived her life as she did, but when I did realize her love for God and His love for her, I saw her as someone I would like to pattern my life and much of my thinking after. I know I have fallen short of this goal, but I still look back on her Christ-like example as a guide to how a person should live and how they should treat and influence others. She knew a personal Savior, and if you were around her for any length of time, you would know it too. She silently (and sometimes not so silently) wittnessed to her friends, and family, that included 9 children, 32 grandchildren, and a whole slew of great and great, great grandchildren. I never entered her home without seeing an open Bible and a tear soaked hankie on the little table beside her rocking chair, where she had been praying and interceeding for the lost. I tried to make her proud and show her that I was doing my best to live as I should and listen to God's leading in my life, and I know she was greatful for that. I knew that Grandma was on the right track and she wanted to take everyone else on her Heavenward journey. Thanks Grandma. I love and miss you, but I will see you again someday. Gary

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    1. Thank you for sharing. Your grandmother sounds like a Godly woman who had a great impact on you. :-)

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