Key Bible Verse: My child, how I will rejoice if you become wise. Yes, my heart will thrill when you speak what is right and just (Proverbs 23:15-16). Bonus Reading: Mark 4:26-29

When I first started mentoring other men, I was immersed in a thriving sales career and a growing family, so time was precious. I arrived with an agenda and expected a quick return on my investment.

Take Andy, a nice, very gregarious young man. After a few weeks, he wasn't finishing assignments I'd given him, and I wasn't seeing any changes. So convinced that this relationship was wasting my time, I showed up at his office one afternoon, determined to end it. Hoping for an easy out, I asked Andy, "Why do you want to keep meeting with me?"

With a quiet, humble tone, he replied, "Because I really want to be like you."

I was dumbfounded. From all appearances nothing was happening, but deep inside he already was changing. Like a plant growing from a seed, if you just watch the surface, you'll see nothing happening. But then one day a tiny shoot of green will stick out of the soil, and before long you'll have abundant growth.

Our relationship didn't come to an end that day. Andy was just beginning to bud. He taught me—the mentor—an important principle: Mentoring is a process that requires great perseverance.

—David Stoddard in The Heart of Mentoring

My Response: Who in my life do I need to persevere with?

Thought to Apply: If we love people, we will see them as God intends them to be.—Russian author

Adapted from The Heart of Mentoring (NavPress, 2003) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Lord, help me form a relationship with another man that spurs significant growth for both.

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