Now that the weather has been nice, I’ve been spending time outside on my bike preparing for the Ride:Well Tour. My first ride out was a few weeks ago. Last week, I went out with a friend (also a new rider) and mainly rode around some of the areas I had been running before. With one of us leading the way, it wasn’t so intimidating not knowing what was around the corner – say, if the shoulder disappeared or there was a dead squirrel.
Monday, I went out by myself and took a road I had never ridden on before. It was a stretch of about 8 miles on Highway 96, and then you make a simple turn around at the Natchez Trace and ride back. I’ve driven this path before, and it looked like it had a decent bike lane (so the signs said) but when I was actually out on my bike, 75% of the time this “bike route” wasn’t even really paved (it had something on it, but it wasn’t asphalt) and was full of patches of slick gravel.
Add to the mix an inexperienced cyclist, a 20 mph headwind on my first climb, and drivers of cars that do NOT comprehend the “cyclists get 3 feet of space” law and it ended up being a good ride to get under my belt for the sheer confidence-building element.
—
People my age often share the complaint that we lack mentors. We didn’t have them growing up and we’re either afraid to ask someone to play that role (or are afraid because we don’t exactly know what a mentor does) or we move into a mentality that figuring it out on our own is more beneficial to our learning.
Here’s the thing. I believe anyone of any age can be, and needs to be mentored. But while we’re trying to figure out what to do in our own lives, there is a generation of children who are growing up without fathers.
These are the children who have potential that can either be turned good, or turned bad, depending on the type of relationships surrounding them. Who will they be influenced by? Who will go before them so they can navigate down the dangerous paths they’ll find along the way?
It doesn’t seem like a pressing matter now because we see them as children. They don’t really “contribute to society,” so to speak. They go to school and play sports and eat and annoy us in movie theaters.
We really need to shift our mindset and realize they may be children now, but in twenty years…thirty years…these children will be making decisions for our country.
They will be making decisions about the law and our health care.
They’ll be the ones engaging in negotiations with countries at war.
They’ll be forming new companies and developing technologies.
They’ll become parents themselves.
There are 27 million children in America growing up without fathers. These children are more likely to commit crimes end up (repeatedly) in prison, statistically speaking. We don’t talk about this much in the church (I don’t know why…maybe it seems too unsolvable?) but it’s an issue the church should – and could take lead on.
I have been supporting The Mentoring Project financially for about a year or so. There isn’t a way for me to be directly involved in the mentoring process yet as they operate currently with churches in the Portland area, but here in Nashville I can do something. I can financially help this organization continue to grow, and I can tell people about it.
I’d like to share with you a couple of videos. The first is of Don Miller explaining a bit of his heart behind The Mentoring Project and why he started it, and the second one is just an incredible (and short) mini-documentary on what The Mentoring Project looks like in real life.
Watch the videos. If you live in the Portland area, check into being a mentor. If you don’t, consider financially contributing. It’s amazing what $10 or $25 will do to push this amazing organization forward. And share. Please share these videos with the people around you and share what The Mentoring Project is doing.
Fatherlessness is America is a crisis. But it’s one that we can put an end to. It’s a story that can be rewritten.
—
Just to be clear, this is not a sponsored post in any way, shape, or form. I saw this documentary yesterday and wanted to share it with you.
Comments
16 responses to “Someone Who Goes Before You”
My husband and I have been involved with mentoring as well by being mentors ourselves or helping promote a local mentor program. There is such a need for good role models. Thank you for bringing this important issue to light.
.-= Kristine McGuire´s last blog ..Everything in Tidy Boxes =-.
i haven’t fared too well with finding mentors for myself. however, my hubby and i have mentored a number of kids throughout the years, many of whom are going into ministry and/or education, are mentoring children, and are involved in missions and social justice both home and abroad. we couldn’t be prouder! i have always felt that part of my personal mission is encouraging others and helping them realize their dreams, and i actually just launched a ministry that empowers women to be leaders. yay!
3 of our 4 kids are teens and are beginning to figure out who they are and who they want to be. it’s exciting, and we’re really careful not to impose OUR dreams on them, both lived and unlived. i feel good about it. they are miles ahead of where i was at their age. our kids are very active in sports, and they’re all desiring to coach and mentor kids whether as a career or as volunteers. i’m proud that they want to continue the mentoring. as corny as it sounds…it really is a gift that keeps giving.
thanks for this post. and thanks for the opportunity to brag on all my kids (even those who aren’t technically my kids). i’m so proud of who they are all becoming. the world’s a better place because of them.
.-= hope hammond´s last blog ..don’t sweat the small stuff? =-.
Amazing post that hits way deep for me. Thank you for posting this. I grew up without a father although I was raised by my great grandparents even then my great grandfather wasn’t the ideal father figure. In many ways I look back and can see he was but it was where he wasn’t that I have the most to learn from. He did what he felt he was obligated to do.
I just recently went through a huge ordeal of “possibly” finding my biological father whom to this day I’ve never met or heard from. The man I thought may have been isn’t. (After DNA testing)
I can assure you growing up “fatherless” has been a curse at times (Nearly dying twice from drug over doses as a young adult) but it’s also been my biggest blessing.
I’ve garnered many gifts from my experiences which I believe “if” I was to have my own children I’d be an amazing father. In the mean time I find it an extremely satisfying opportunity to play a major role in mentoring the young adults in my life. You’ve given me a much deeper perspective on where else I take my efforts.
Thank you again Anne!
.-= Tony Teegarden´s last blog ..6 Steps To Disciplining Your (My) Disappointments =-.
Awesome post Anne and very convicting! There is a small ministry near us that owns a house and houses homeless teenage boys. The boys go to school, come “home” for homework, dinner, hanging out. This ministry has cried out that there are not enough male mentors hanging out with these boys. Sadly, (and I realized that this situation is specific to my area, church, etc.) when the church was presented with this opportunity, they let it go because they are already doing other “stuff”. Very sad.
I believe we all should have a Paul and a Timothy in our life. Someone who mentors and speaks into our lives and someone we can mentor.
Thank you for this piece Ann.
I believe and will continue to live this out that if our generation starts the mentoring movement it will pass onto the next generation. Someone has to start. That is why I love what the Mentoring Project is doing, they are starting.
Mentoring is something that is very close to me. I have made it a goal to impact 5 people and then send them out to impact 5 people. I have been mentoring a 18 yr high school senior for 3 months now and it has been invaluable time of learning for both of us. Love doing it.
Lets start a movement
.-= Kyle Reed´s last blog ..Amazing Does Not Always Deliver =-.
The statistics are amazing. Thank you for sharing! http://www.specklesoffaith.com http://www.speckleofdirt.com
Great reminder Anne! We need to mentored but we need to be mentoring others too!
.-= Kevin M.´s last blog ..Balancing Life: A Father’s Perspective =-.
Wow. Great post. I’m going to have to read it again later to let it all sink in. Thanks for that!
.-= Matt´s last blog ..Are Dogs the Best Christians? =-.
My wife and I have also been supporting TMP for a year or so…love what they’re doing. And, I love that we can help while waiting to be directly involved in the future in Arizona.
The whole idea of mentoring has Jesus written all over it. I(we) need to start seeing that, pronto.
Great post, Anne.
.-= Josh´s last blog ..A Restoration Project: Lent (part nine) =-.
Great post Anne. Thank you for sharing with your readers about TMP.
.-= Chrystal´s last blog ..Why am I running around in circles? (literally, like around the cul-de-sac) =-.
The numbers are sobering and you paint a compelling picture.
I’m a fan of mentoring and making others great, as well as having a suite of mentors for various things, from technical to people skills to leadership skills. I learn from everyone I can, as much as I can, but my team of mentors really help cement things and make things relevant.
.-= J.D. Meier´s last blog ..My Top Ten Lessons In Life – Ali Hale =-.
Mentoring is a big push in the educational world, too. Right now, my state (Ohio) is in the process of building different requirements for earning a high school diploma. The new set of standards includes a senior project involving a mentor, and every student would have to complete it in order to graduate. While this type of mentoring would not make up for the lack of fathers, it would help guide students towards successful careers which would benefit them.
The real drawback in mentoring in our society is the time element–some families have enough on their plates with work and childcare obligations. I believe the most effective mentoring would be singles and couples who haven’t any children at that point in time.
.-= patriciazell´s last blog ..#36 THE DOING OF PRAYING: GOD’S WILL =-.
as a single mother who is raising a son by herself for a decade now…i know all to well the heartbreak of raising the fatherless generation. because my son is one of them. he’s never seen or met his father.
thank God that He is always true to His word when He says that He will be a Father to the fatherless. there is a supernatural favor that my son has when he prays to his Daddy (it’s unexplainable). thank God also, for the men in church who step up to be a big brother and a great role model for my son.
God provides where man lacks. My son has the BEST DADDY in the world.
i wrote something last night, inspired by what you posted here. it’s something practical that people can do for single mothers everywhere…. because they are the ones who are raising the 27 million fatherless… they need all the support they can get. and i listed a few practical ways to help them out.
check it out when you can. http://www.ricianne.com/2010/03/mothering-fatherless.html
As soon as our garage door goes up, our neighborhood shows up. We are surrounded by girls and boys seeking guidance, friendship and fun. I’m so grateful my husband is willing to give it. I’m also hoping it keeps our house from getting egged on Halloween. ;)
.-= Julie´s last blog ..Happy Birthday to Me =-.