I’ve mentored young men in our program informally, and have mentored as a youth pastor as well. Through our Second Chance Juvenile Mentoring Imitative I’m mentoring on a formal basis and I’m three visits into our new relationship.
The first time I visited him at Woodward Academy was an opportunity to take him clothes shopping, which was a first for me – taking a teenage boy clothes shopping (without my wife anyway, I don’t think taking my 12-year-old son by myself for a belt really counts).
We hunted and conquered Burlington Coat Factory and then stopped by for a McFlurry at the Grimes McDonald’s We then started back so he could make his group meeting.
And then… the check engine light came on. Some context, I have a 1999 Ford (go ahead and share your best joke below) Contour. My car died right outside the Woodward Resource Center entrance. Great first impression that was.
An opportunity for a teachable moment. Could I utter what was going on in my flesh, or could I model a valuable life lesson? Fortunately I chose the latter he and I hoofed back to Woodward Academy (just shy of a mile away). God gave me the opportunity to model patience and flexibility to my new mentee.
And a continued lesson for me waiting for the tow truck to show up, I guess I needed the lesson as well.
P.S. Car’s running fine now, but finding a place to have it towed up there certainly was a challenge.
