The restorative benefit of mentoring

Recently, I was feeling worn down. Covid negated many things I had planned and hoped for; family members I looked forward to seeing were unable to attend a barbeque for Australia Day because their five and three-year-olds tested positive, an already booked trip to New Zealand was cancelled, key appointments were postponed. On top of that, more people have been staying home from church instead of congregating. Businesses are under pressure. School has been delayed. There is so much uncertainty in the face of this pandemic. It’s enough to exhaust and discourage the best of us. 

Another Experience with the Unexpected

It reminds me of a time I went sailing with a friend. We took a small dinghy out from Semaphore in South Australia. Usually, the waters are calm and peaceful, but a gentle breeze shifted into a well-over 20-knot wind that day. It capsized our little boat. Adrenaline kicked in, we righted the boat and climbed back in. A few minutes later, it happened again. And then again. By the fourth time, I had lost the energy to climb back in. My friend steered the boat back to shore while I clung to the side. 

What to Do in the Face of Uncertainty

I think many of us feel like we keep getting knocked down by the new waves of the coronavirus. We wonder how many more waves? How many more shots? When will it feel normal again? Waves of uncertainty have thrown us overboard, and even the strong swimmers are worn down. So, what do we do in the face of this storm? I do what I always do when I feel worn out and hopeless; I called Keith, my mentor, and we scheduled a time to meet up and talk. 

Chatting with Keith is always restorative. He told me that the uncertainty of life wears us down and causes our hope to feel unrealised. He reminded me that my fears and weariness are normal, and I’m not alone in feeling this way. Our conversation reminded me of something we all tend to forget; to not put our hope in our plans but instead into what matters most. God is our anchor, not all these plans. I realised I needed to make more space to cope and breathe, recognise my anchor and place my hope in what matters. 

Hebrews 6:19

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hold onto this verse in these times of weariness.

If you are feeling weary and hopeless, ask yourself these questions: 

• Do I have someone who restores me when I talk with them? 
• Am I making time to restore myself?
• In what do I put my hope?