"At the moment of commitment, the entire Universe conspires to assist you."
~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
January is Mentor's Month and I want to take this opportunity to thank mine.
When I was twelve, Alice Shrock, a recent college graduate, was called to serve our church as a parish worker. I was a lonely child, starved for attention, and Alice gave it to me. I felt loved and valued in her presence. She was the first person to recommend that I attend college and the first to recommend a career in the church. I will always be grateful Alice was in my life. A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to have lunch with her and tell her in person.
I did go to college but didn't follow Alice's encouragement to choose a church career. I simply was too immature and not ready. Then a second encouragement came. This time I was ready.
When I was in my early thirties, Phyllis Wacker served our congregation as a part-time director of Christian education. She challenged my attitudes and behavior, helping me to grow spiritually. One evening she asked to observe me facilitating a small spiritually-oriented group in my home. I think she was suspicious, wondering if I had evolved enough to be able to do this with integrity. She stayed after everyone else left to process the evening. I was thrilled to hear her praise the strength of my leadership, adding "You have gifts as a small group facilitator." She is the second person to suggest a church career for me. Because she actively helped me discern my gifts and call to ministry, I was led to entering seminary, a life changing experience in so many ways.
A seminary professor and core group facilitator, Harold Platz, said to me once, "I don't think you know the impact you have on others." He was so right and I was learning. I'm still learning. Harold was so impressed with a paper I wrote for his New Testament class, "A System's Analysis of the Apostle Paul," that he passed it around the faculty. It eventually found its way to the University of Dayton and was published in two small journals, Explorations: Journal for Adventurous Thought and New Testament Perspectives. I loved being thought of as an adventurous thinker. Because of Harold and many of my seminary professors, I learned that I have writing skills. They consistently praised my clear and concise writing as well as the depth of my thinking.
There is no way in one short paragraph I can write about the impact of Anne Wilson Schaef on my life. I was deeply involved in her Living-in-Process network for about six years, beginning as a trainee in September 1983. She is a significant spiritual teacher for me, teaching me the importance of making my connection with the deepest part of myself a top priority. She introduced me to Al-Anon, a program that deepened my spiritual life even more. Because of Anne, I was able to bring my personal and professional life into integrity.
And I cannot close without mentioning Nita Leland. We have been working together as writing partners for almost two years. And while we are partners in the writing of our memoirs, I must acknowledge the impact she has had on my life that make her one of my mentors. Without her I would not have a manuscript ready for polishing. Because she is a published author, she is knowledgeable about the business of writing, and has generously shared what she knows with me. She told me once,"I feel that I was chosen to hear your story. I replied, "I feel that it was Divine guidance that brought us together."
I owe all my mentors a debt of gratitude and I publicly acknowledge them here in my blog. Thank you all for enriching and expanding my life.
Ponderings:
Who have served as your mentors?
How did they enrich and expand your life?
How do you want to acknowledge and thank them?
