Transparent Christian Magazine

Recently, at my ‘real job’ I met with my ‘sales coach’. Her name is Susan and we meet twice a month or so, for an hour. I bring in my sales reports and ‘numbers’ for the week, but we usually end up talking about what’s going on in my life. She helps keep me and my boss in line and our sales process tight.

With her help, I have been able to keep better track of my work efforts, which has lead to better productivity, and a better attitude. Susan said that you can’t address a person’s job duties without understanding what someone is dealing with outside of the office. As an example, she knows that I like to serve others, so now, in addition to tracking how many meetings, networking events, and proposals I have during the week, we also track how many people I was able to serve.

We met at Starbucks last week and she asked me how my day was going so far. I told her that I had been up since 5 am, and that I had breakfast with one of my spiritual mentors. She said “Oh? Tell me about him…”

I told her that he was one of the first people that I met when I moved to Nashville in 2003, and I felt that it was a divine appointment. I mentioned that he was a great friend, and always knew what to say during my mini-catastrophes. I said “He’s a bit older than me, got some gray hairs, and seems to know the right verse to give me, or the right book to suggest reading. Many times, he just offers suggestions or advice from his life… and he’s a great listener. She got kind of quiet. She said “say that again…” I said “ummm…which part.” She said “the part about the gray hair.”

I realized that Susan probably has a few gray hairs, and I might have just offended her. I blushed a little, and she said “the way you said that… I could tell you have respect and admiration for this man.” I said “well, I do. He’s really helped me grow”. She then proceeded to tell me that her and her baby boomer friends have trouble aging, and need to hear that they are respected. She said “Jason, why don’t you write a post in that magazine of yours and make sure your friend gets a copy. Tell him you dedicate it to him, so he knows how much you appreciate him.”

I thought that was a fantastic idea.

Mike— This one’s for you. I appreciate the advice, support, love, prayers, and non-judgment you have shown. I appreciate the dedication you have had towards our friendship. I appreciate you challenging my thoughts and actions, and having the guts to say things to me that were hard for me to hear. I appreciate your obedience to God and your encouragement that I listen to Him too. I appreciate you accepting me as who I am.

I appreciate you showing me what true mentorship is all about!

Jason