Jesusluvsall's Blog

A repeated theme in the bible is that when God blesses us, it is so we can be a blessing to others. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians Chapter 1 about how he received comfort from God, so he could comfort others. John wrote 1st John Chapter 4 that we love others with agape love, God’s love, because Jesus first loved us. So whatever we receive is not for our own selfish enjoyment. We are not meant to sit around and only self actualize and focus on our own personal growth. God blesses us so we can serve others. One aspect of that has meant a lot to me is empowering others having experienced Jesus empowering me and to see them go on to be a blessing to others is so rewarding.

I think this has been on my mind a lot lately because of how I have seen one of my former assistants excel at helping immigrants and refugees. I am so proud of Kelly and will never forget the day she came walking into my Family Literacy classroom to volunteer and we realized we knew each other from when she was a child. Kelly was a great volunteer while she was a university student, so good in fact, that I recruited her to be my assistant the following school year. She now has her own Family Literacy class, and teaches a citizenship class. I keep telling her she will surpass me because I admire how she connects with people from other cultures, loves them and takes the initiative to get things done.

Another former assistant that makes me think about empowerment is Fabi. We connected right away because I love Brazil having traveled there twice. She had taught English in Brazil, so my focus was more on helping her understand the diverse cultures in my classroom and various aspects of teaching them. I enjoyed sharing ideas and insights with her about our students while at the same time investing in her. She is working on her Master’s Degree now and will go on to be of great help for families with autistic children. I anticipate she will write books about it someday.

Last November, I had a minor surgery and both Kelly and Fabi came to see me. Kelly brought me some chocolate one day and Fabi gave me a ride home the next day  showing our friendships are reciprocal. In fact, I think I get more out of our friendships than they do. I don’t think of them as my former assistants. I think of them as my friends that I am SO proud of. The only way I know how to empower others is through relating with them in friendship.

Out of my former assistants, seven have gone on to become lead instructors with each of them having different strengths and personalities. For me it was more recognizing their strengths and personalities and encouraging them.

Where did I learn about empowering others? One word- JESUS.

Jesus took men with little training and prepared them to go out and start the church. Each of them had different personalities, strengths, and weaknesses such as Peter who was headstrong and tended to put his foot in his mouth and Philip who was seriously conscientious.

Christianity is not a men’s only club. Jesus also mentored women to rise up new heights. Mary Magdalene the outcast was the first to see Jesus after his resurrection. He spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well at a time a Jewish man would never have spoken with a Samaritan woman.

Seeking to empower others requires involvement and investing in others, but that is the exciting part of the process for me. I learn as much or more from my assistants as they learn from me. Mentoring others means connection with them and hoping they rise higher than I have. I am grateful to have been a small part in the lives of others on their way up in life.

By the way, if they read this post, Kelly I need some chocolate and Fabi I need some brigadeiro. 🙂 🙂 🙂