Who Gets More Out of Mentoring?

I would like to share with you my all-time favorite photograph. It is the cover photo for this blog post. I have no idea who these people are. Someone showed me this 20 years ago and I have hung onto it ever since. Take a good long look at what is going on here. Observe the clues. Notice the expressions on the faces of these two people.

I think this looks to have been taken in the 1960’s. I am guessing this is a grandfather who has retired to Florida (notice his tan and the Miami, FLA on the turned over box) and has just helped his grandson catch his first fish. The grandmother is probably taking the picture.

The Expression

Now notice the look on the little boy’s face. It is pure joy from head to toe. He is ecstatic to have accomplished this great feat. I know the grandfather baited the hook, probably tossed out the line for him and let him hold it just long enough for the fish to bite. He then likely helped him reel it in and definitely took the fish off the hook for him. And now this young man is loving the fact that he is holding his first fish. But notice how he is holding it. He barely has a hold on the tip of the tail fin. The grandfather is even holding the majority of the weight for him.

The Best Part

But to me that is not the best part. Look closely at the look on the grandfather’s face. He is getting so much joy watching his grandson get a kick out of what “he has done.” That look right there is magic. I am loving this photo even more now that I am a grandfather.

Mentoring

This reminds me of mentoring. We think when we pour into others through mentoring that the main benefit is received by the mentee. I have been on the receiving end of a mentor and know the benefits I have gained from the investment in me. But having been on the giving end as well I also know the great joy in seeing your mentee thrive and grow in ways he could not have imagined prior to our time together. This might be the best part because the mentor has the greater realization of what is going on and, therefore, greater appreciation in the moment.

Spiritual

If you want to go spiritual with it, I think this is a great representation of us with our Heavenly Father as well. He gets joy in watching us get excited about the things He allows us to accomplish through His power and with His grace. We delude ourselves at times into thinking it is our doing.

So, I encourage you to take a good look at this photo again and ask yourself who could you be pouring into. You will likely be getting more than you are giving.

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