The Little Things
By Tyler Lemmons
As another year of our children’s mentoring program concludes, I find myself reflecting on the bridges of understanding and compassion that have been built week-by-week. What may start as small gestures or simple conversations often blossom into something much bigger – a bond that provides support, guidance, and encouragement through life’s ups and downs.
One of our mentoring pairs created a deeper connection through music, by sitting together with a keyboard and learning chords. They do not listen to the same songs on the radio, but they were able to both enjoy learning to play ‘Lean on Me’. It was a beautiful moment of connection-building between mentor and mentee.
There’s another of our pairs that had the goal of learning how to prepare healthy yet simple meals and live a healthy lifestyle. This pair spent their time on Monday evenings in different ways, sometimes walking around the neighborhood going over our weekly discussion questions, or walking over to the mentor’s home to cook a nutritious dinner while spending time with the mentor’s wife and new baby. This pair tackled life’s everyday challenges together in an inspiring way.
And let’s not forget about one of our oldest mentees in the program, who is about to graduate high school. This pair spent time discussing his college plans, and his mentor has been a helpful guide for him as he plans for his future.
These stories remind us that something small can indeed become something big – that the simple act of showing up week after week, ready to listen, learn, and grow together, can make a profound difference in the lives of our youth. It is through these consistent, ongoing relationships that our mentors and mentees find strength, support, and a sense of belonging.
I am tremendously grateful for all our mentors, and may God give us many more years of growth, learning, and transformation.
