Mentors

Spent the day today with two of my mentors. James and I picked up a Zipcar and cruised together up the sun-dappled Merritt Parkway toward New Haven.

These are two people who encouraged me, in my early 20s, to keep fighting the good fight. But the encouragement they offered was more than verbal. It was an encouragement of presence. Of ready kindness. Of acceptance. Of fighting the good fight themselves, with more wisdom, patience, and love than I had at the time.

We all need people in our lives who show us the way. We need real teachers, who give of themselves not because it's their job, but because it's their life and they can do no other.

If I do anything in ministry, I hope I can give to someone else what these two have given to me.

I would count it all worth it.

Though my vessel may be broken, let the water that pours out be pure.