It has been another long and cold weekend in North Carolina. We woke up this morning to a dash of snow and ice on the ground, but these past couple days have been filled with snuggles in bed and on the couch, warm teas and hot chocolate, aromas from the crock pots, and a gentle reminder from God that we are not alone.
I also took some time this weekend to finish reading my book, “Mentor for Life: Finding Purpose through Intentional Discipleship.” This time, I did not read the manuscript. I did not read it on a screen. I did not read it on print outs of paper all over my desk or on my bed. I read it, the real book with its pretty cover, and my name on it. I read it from cover to cover, remembering the stories and lessons that filled its pages. I remembered with gratitude and thanksgiving to God for all of the people he has divinely and strategically put in my path to live this life, and to share this space and mission together. I am indeed thankful.
One of the relationships I am so thankful for is that of my dear sister, friend, and prayer partner, Suzanne Burden. Suzanne is the part-time discipleship pastor at Three Rivers Wesleyan Church, fellow Redbud writer, and co-author of the book, “Reclaiming Eve: The Identity and Calling of Women in the Kingdom of God.” I am so glad to recommend her book as a mentoring framework resource. The mentoring framework outlined in “Mentor for Life” is holistic and progressive with each of the three pillars building on the next.
The first pillar is “Knowing and Loving God.”
The second pillar is “Knowing our Identity in Christ Jesus.”
The third pillar is “Loving our Neighbors.”
This framework highlights the importance of the Great Commission to make disciples and the Greatest Commandment to love God and love others. For us to love God and love others well, we must affirm our identity in Christ. Suzanne and her co-authors articulate this need and this message so well in their book. It is affirming and liberating for women, and for all those who love them. This idea of mentoring, affirming our identity, and being in Christ is not just something that Suzanne and I write about, it is something that we challenge and encourage each other to live.
Whenever, I speak with this dear sister, share my heart, hear her prayers of intercession, and her affirmation of my personhood as an image bearer of God, daughter of the great King, and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, I know that I am known and loved by God because I am known and loved by her. We mentor each other, and we mentor for life together.
I am thrilled to share this recent GirlfriendIt interview that Suzanne and I did to talk about mentoring together through relationships and affirming and edifying each other as sisters in Christ.
http://toginet.com/podcasts/girlfriendit
Leading and Mentoring with Suzanne Burden and Natasha Robinson (air date: 2/11/2016)
In anticipation of my March 1, 2016 book release, I have also designed some cool t-shirts for you to rock with your friends. Grab a “#WeMentor for life together” t-shirt this week!
https://teespring.com/we-mentor-for-life
A SISTA'S JOURNEY 