My daughter studies in Cape Town, in Woodstock. During the week she stays in a convent that was refurbished to accommodate 50 female students. She loves staying in Cape Town and when she can take a break from her studies, she visits the markets or runs with a friend on the many trails on Table Mountain.

She enjoys her studies immensely and she really likes being there. But weekends she can’t wait to get home. And Sundays after lunch she starts feeling a little blue. All too often she drives away from home with tears in her eyes and the dad himself struggles to get rid of the sudden lump in his throat.

I realise it is difficult for her to move away from this safe environment. And yes, she enjoys Cape Town and she enjoys her studies and she knows it is exactly where she needs to be now, but at the same time, she doesn’t want to leave her loved ones behind every Sunday.

And that is so normal. We are emotional beings. When circumstances are not so nice, we get emotional and tears may flow. Even Timothy didn’t enjoy moving away from the familiar: ⁴I miss you a lot, especially when I remember that last tearful good-bye, and I look forward to a joy-packed reunion.

Just this one verse tells a long story about the relationship between Paul and Timothy. Paul was Timothy’s mentor, spiritual father, friend, teacher and more. Timothy owes who he is and much more to Paul. Paul has invested so much energy, knowledge and wisdom in Timothy’s life.

There was a special connection between them. So, it wasn’t good to say goodbye. Even though both knew that the time had come for Timothy to start living his calling and although both knew that his work would greatly help to enlarge God’s New World, they couldn’t hold back the tears.

I would like to share a modern version of this story with you:

Our ministry arranged a camp for women. To help people get to know one another, all were divided into groups and rooms. But there was a blond matchstick of a woman who refused point-blank to share with anyone except her specific friend.

Our pastor is a wise man. He picked something up in the spirit, and she got her way. To her shock and surprise, I was one of the four who shared the house!

To make a long story short – Saturday afternoon I had a discussion with one of the facilitators and asked her:

Where do I find a friend to mentor? Where do I find a friend to have my back covered when I’m ministering? You see, Gerjo Ben, I’m at a place where I no longer want to stand at the side-lines of ministry. I don’t want to just keep on receiving anymore. I have a deep need to serve, to receive by giving.

Her response: Ask the Lord. I have done it before, but asked again then and there.

Communion was served at the evening session, and we were instructed to find someone to share it with. I looked at the group, but nobody stood out. But before I could move on, there was matchstick standing in front of me. And I need to tell you, in the next instant she sat down beside me.

I’m sure my jaw dropped in that moment! This was the last woman I would’ve expected to want to share with me. And then she shared with me – many, many words!

That 500 lights switched on for her during the dance with which I had ministered earlier that evening; that she is/was afraid of me – because I’m the angry redheaded auntie in our church. When you’re 30, anyone on the other side of 40 is probably an auntie! That she had a feeling that I needed a special friend and that she would like to be it.

It gave me such joy to tell her that I had specifically prayed for just such a thing that afternoon. And then she burst out in tears! She wanted to be used, but she had felt as if God had overlooked her need.

She was so afraid that I would reject her and here we were and we were actually the answer to one another’s need.

Abba Father is simply awesome – and yes, sometimes He has a weird sense of humour. The blonde matchstick and the angry redheaded auntie!

May you also be a Paul for someone else. May tears of hurt and joy flow. May God work hard in your life.

Scripture
2 Tim 1:3-4

Reflection
For whom can you be a Paul?
Who is your mentor?
Where do you need to think differently about someone?

Prayer
Lord, thank you for wanting to work in and through me. Please open my heart so that I can be available to share Your love with others. Amen.