Randy Elrod is my friend. Most of the time. Actually the only fissure in our valuable friendship, which I prize, came recently in his blog, “Where are the female mentors?”

Where are we indeed.

Women were mentoring before the word was invented. We are instinctively relational which is an enhancing quality for effective coaching. We love investing in others…babies, children, teens, co-workers, nations, pets, oh, yes, and husbands who honk their horn before they back out of the garage to make sure the world knows they are there.

Randy, I know a dab of Spiritual Murine will help you focus better, but right in your midst is a top-notch mentor of the finest ilk….your wife. I’ve had the joy of traveling with Chris, shopping, dining, laughing, and dreaming together. These times of weekly involvement has given me the privilege of observing her with other women. She coaches others with such ease. Not from a list of mentoring musts but from a heart that truly cares about others. I watch her lean in and whisper hope always believing the best and she is the first to applaud their progress and growth. That my friend is mentoring.

You probably didn’t think of your darling wife when you wrote that article because she’s always been that way. Of course, you might have perked up and checked the mentoring box when Chris spent endless hours with the wives of your men’s group always with an invested joy. Maybe you thought it just the wife-ly thing to do. Chris listens well and takes delight in others. But then you’ve been a recipient of that mentoring, oh, excuse me, marriage for years.

You are a blessed dad Randy to have two delightful daughters that carry the flame of your artistic fervor along with the mentoring skills of their mom. Think about it, who has taught you a greater sensitivity to the delicate design of a woman then these two honest young, spunky ladies, who do not hesitate to hold a mirror to your face? They have quickly supported and generously invested in your dreams. And they have helped to keep you relevant in a quickly changing world. Mentoring.

And then there’s your good friend Gail who donates her time and heart to many women…and men. Her tireless energy and passion for the things of God adds to the spectacular quality of her offerings. Gail is practical, solution bound, and willing to loving hold others accountable. This is called m-e-n-t-o-r-ing.

Randy you are my friend, but you were drinking something stronger than Starbuck’s when you wrote “…I don’t know one (non-professional) female mentor.” Really? Look beside you honey, look behind you…uh, oh, look up ahead of you…why for heavens sakes, its female mentors. You are surrounded and outnumbered. You lucky man!

I dare say Randy if you were to make lists, which I know you love to do, that named your favorite songs, books, quotes, and painters that there would be more than a few women who through their offerings nurtured your soul. And what about that teacher who early on detected greatness in you and began calling it out? Mentoring.

As a woman who has spent the last 35 years teaching, training, and spurring women on to change may I say mentors are as near as the woman’s ear sitting beside you. Oh, she might not be able to give you an official “appointment” because of the many hats she wears, but I can almost promise you that she will give you a few precious moments to tell you what it cost her years and tears to learn.

Randy, I do think women mentoring women may look a little less obvious, but the results speak volumes. We may appear like a gaggle of girlfriends shopping the sales, but between the aisles we are working out life’s most important questions, including the best ways to influence our men toward greatness.

You are a great man Randy. Congratulations Chris…good job.

With much love and genuine appreciation for who you truly are,

Patsy (a non-professional mentor)

P.S. Yes, girlfriends I do realize the shortage of mentors (male & female), so why not become one?

The older women (& men) are to teach the younger and let’s face it we are all older than someone. What we give will be returned to us many times over.

Years ago I prayed, “O Lord bring a strong woman example into my life.” What I heard God say in my spirit shook me to the core…”I want you to become that example.” It was far safer for me to have one than become one. Gratefully in the process of growing a strong heart He did, out of the generosity of His heart, send amazing women (and men) to help me forge a worthy path.

What are YOUR thoughts?

Patsy Clairmont is a Women of Faith Speaker and author of 27 books, her latest offering is “Kaleidoscope.” Patsy is a skittish blogger and a Twitter bug. Join her @patsyclairmont and patsyclairmontblog.com and yes, she is my dearest of friends—and also a true mentor (albeit non-professional) and answer to prayer to my daughters Paige & Lauren.

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