Mentors, Godparents and the Writing Thing.

 ‘Me? She really asked if I would consider being her mentor?’

I was flabbergasted. Me. A mentor? I don’t know anything. I’m barely able to work through my own issues in life and someone wanted me to be their mentor? And what was a mentor supposed to do?

Would you believe me if I said I looked up the definition?

A wise and trusted counsellor or teacher. [Pft! Wise? I’ll probably have to look that up in the dictionary too, but I know I’m neither old enough or experienced enough to be wise.]

An influential senior sponsor or supporter. [Ha! I should never be left unsupervised, let-alone influence anyone.]

I checked the thesaurus, maybe there was a better fit than mentor — adviser, coach, guide, instructor, trainer, tutor, counsellor … maybe not.

Photo by Alexis Brown on Unsplash

Lisa Bevere released a new book in late 2020 called, Godmothers — Why You Need One. How to Be One. For some reason I remembered this book after my friend and I had this bizarre conversation about mentoring and thought I would check it out. I mean, I have a young niece / goddaughter who lives interstate and I sadly don’t have much contact with her (purely my fault - life and all that) and isn’t mentoring kind of like being a godparent or part thereof?

Someone to whisper a blessing and a word of courage over your life. Someone to help you close your gaps. A guide who sees your potential waiting to be recognised, your challenges in need of transformation, and your questions requiring honest answers.

— Lisa Bevere

Looking back on accepting the opportunity to write blogposts on this website full of far more experienced, wise and knowledgeable writers than I, I remember feeling the exact same way as I did about the possibility of mentoring someone. 

Me? Write a post, on writing, for Christian writers … who would read it? I had nothing to say. My ‘so-called’ voice was still being developed. I didn’t have a published book, or short story, or poem or article or any other form of writing document. I did however have a very poor, first draft of a novel, a small group of friends who knew I liked to write and an open opportunity to have a go. Was it the right thing to do? I didn’t think so at the time. Was it the right thing for me? Well, let’s just say, that same very poor draft which has been edited here and there over the years (and has miles to go—according to me) was my submission to the Caleb Awards last year. I was one of the finalists in my category.

 

When we’re afraid of succeeding at the wrong thing, we run the risk of doing nothing. 

— Lisa Bevere.

Those of you who linked in to the Omega Writers Online Retreat last month would have heard Edie Melson speak on Soul Care for Writers. One of my take-aways from her session seems quite small and ironically and hilariously something you’d think a writer, any writer would be already doing. Writing. But not just writing all the stories we have bunched up in our heads, writing down our hopes and fears. Writing though the doubts that constantly hammer each of us everyday. Writing out the logical-sounding ‘why I can’ts' and working through these oppositions with the one thing we like doing the most.

The importance of an idea, dream, or hope can be measured by the opposition you experience when you dare to embrace it. 

—Lisa Bevere.

Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

I know from experience (I can say that now), you don’t need to be the best writer, you don’t need to have something published, you don’t need to feel wise or knowledgeable for that matter. Everyone (yes, I’m talking to you) regardless of what path you’re going through in your journey with Christ, you have something to contribute to this writing community. Be bold. Be brave, or don’t be, but put yourself out there anyway.

Words, whether written or spoken, have the power to highlight our paths. 

— Lisa Bevere.

If you think you might want to try your hand at writing a post for Christian Writers Downunder and have been a contributing member to our Facebook page and/or engaged via comments in these posts; and been apart of this group for more than 6 months, let us know. We’re looking for some new blood, a few new voices to help bring fresh ideas, encouragement and blessings on this wonderful writing community we have. You can contact us through our Facebook Page, comment below or email us at CWDBloggers@gmail.com.

Leaving a legacy

Somehow I doubt our children will inherit many millions when my husband and I are no longer here – not that they have given up on the idea completely. There is always hope, they tell me, that one day one of my novels will become a best-seller and end up on the big screen!

On occasions, even I join in this game of ‘pretend’. I have been known to joke as I sign my name in one of my novels that one day, when I’m very famous, the owner of that novel will be able to auction it on ebay for millions! I can see the product description now: ‘Valuable first edition copy – personally signed by author’.

I have been thinking of legacies a lot lately, with the recent release of my fifth novel ‘Heléna’s Legacy’. This novel features Dr Susan Curtis, one of the minor characters in my second novel ‘All the Days of My Life’, and follows her reluctant journey towards God as she seeks to deal with various painful episodes in her life and tries to forgive. Heléna Hajek, the main character of my first two novels, becomes a key influence for good in Susan’s life – and the lives of others in Susan’s family – thereby leaving a legacy that is much more meaningful and lasting than any millions could ever be.

Now it’s a fact that I often write into my novels things I would want to say and do, if I were in the same situation as the one my character is facing. So it’s no surprise that, just like Heléna, I desire to leave something of value behind me in this world besides any millions I might or might not have. And I am so grateful for the ways God has given me to do this at this stage of my life.

Firstly, I hope and pray my novels truly touch readers’ hearts and bring them closer to God in some way. How privileged we are as Christian authors to have the opportunity to do this! But even more amazingly, we can also know that when we are no longer here, our books will remain and hopefully be read for years to come.

Secondly, I hope and pray that through the various speaking opportunities that open up for me, often because of the fact I am an author, those who hear me will be impacted by God and will receive fresh insights and understandings from God’s Spirit. Again, what a privilege to be used to leave a legacy in the lives of others in this way!

And thirdly, having walked the Christian journey now for many years, I love to impact women’s lives directly too through mentoring, either face to face or via email, passing on the lessons God has taught and continues to teach me.

God has given us all a legacy to leave behind, whether we are authors or not. What will yours be?

Jo-Anne Berthelsen grew up in Brisbane and holds an Arts degree from Queensland University.  She has also studied Education and Theology and has worked as a high school teacher and editor, as well as in local church ministry. Jo-Anne loves communicating through both the written and spoken word and currently has five novels published by Ark House – ‘Heléna’, ‘All the Days of My Life’, ‘Laura’, ‘Jenna’ and ‘Heléna’s Legacy’. She is married to a retired minister and has three grown-up children and two grandchildren. To find out more about Jo-Anne, please visit her website, www.jo-anneberthelsen.com.