Charleston: Mentors and Community
Phyllis Tickle
"We are not done yet. We may measure our progress in inches. We may swim against the deep tides of greed and hate, but we are not done yet. Even if we do not live to see it all, we will be content to be an inspiration, to give all we have to free our world from fear."—Steven Charleston, Daily Facebook Page.
Bishop Charleston encourages us during difficult times when we feel discouraged. This is why God constantly calls us to community. We feel we have lost our connection to God when our lights are dim. We think we have accomplished nothing and believe we are failures.
Yet there are others in our community whose lights are on, more connected to God, and able to encourage and support us until we see a different picture. They are like Simon of Cyrene, briefly carrying our cross. They are like the paralytic's friends, lifting him through the rooftop to Jesus. Then, as we heal, it will be our turn to encourage.
Often, people come for spiritual direction or meet with spiritual friends who have burned out or feel that their life or ministry is not accomplishing what they had hoped.
Our job as spiritual friends is to show each other where God is working in our lives and to keep inspiring one another, remembering that we may not see the results. Unfortunately, the results may be apparent much later, long after we have lived our lives and our names have been forgotten.
As I grow older, I remember more vividly the people, including teachers, grandparents, co-workers, and friends, who encouraged, supported, and never gave up on me. Unfortunately, most of them are gone, so I can only thank them by trying to pay it forward and encouraging others as they did for me.
Today, I share Jon Sweeney's biography of Phyllis Tickle, Phyllis Tickle, A Life, in which he describes how Phyllis was a major encourager for him, for me, and for many others. We will especially honor Phyllis next March, the month of her birthday (March 12).
Today, list the mentors who have helped us on this journey and the spiritual friends in our community who guide us when we cannot see the light. Honor them by sharing the light and love you learned from them with others.
Pass It On.
Joanna https://www.joannaseibert.com/