Visits with a Purpose

“I’m putting the kettle on...” my friend Mary said to me as I ended the call on my cell phone. Pointing my car toward her house, I knew that I was going to receive more than a cup of tea when I got there. 

I knew we would share some laughs; I would help her with some household task and then we would sit down at the kitchen table and get down to the business of encouraging one another.

​When I say encouraging, I don’t mean a flippant, “You’re doing great!” or a quick pat on the back.  That’s not how Mary operated.  She would not mince words when she delivered truth meted out with an abundance of love. And nothing was off limits to her.  Family, faith, work, relationships, love—it was all fair game!  

Another friend, Martha, set two mugs of coffee on the kitchen table when I stopped by her house for a visit. It was raining pretty hard and the warm welcome was just what I needed.  She gently inquired about the family, made small talk about the weather but quickly turned the conversation to me.  She wanted to know how I handled a recent disagreement with a friend at church.  She wanted to make sure I had acted with integrity during the conversation.  She cared deeply about the person I was becoming and how I was growing as a Christian woman.

Mary and Martha (the irony is not lost on me) were two older, wiser friends God gave me as I was learning to be a wife, mother, and disciple.  Similar, yet different, each one shared wisdom with me in a way I could receive it—often with a mug of something warm and comforting in my hands at the kitchen table.

Maybe you have an older, wiser friend who pulls up a chair at the table with you, too.     

In Romans 1:10-12, Paul tells the Romans that he prays for the opportunity to go see them.  He has a specific purpose in mind for his visit. Verse 11 says, "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong."

Paul isn’t just talking about a gab session or a social call.  He knows his time with the Gentiles in Rome needs to have some substance—too much is at stake.  The faith of the Roman church was being talked about all over the world!  Paul needed a personal visit with his friends to teach them and invest in their spiritual growth.  Being the wise apostle that he was, Paul also knew the relationship had to be a two-way street.  In verse 12 he continued, “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.”

If you have had the input of a Mary, a Martha, or a Paul in your life, count yourself blessed.  A seasoned saint who shares truth and seeks to sharpen your faith is a gift not to be taken for granted!  If you have not had this privilege in your life, no matter your age, seek out someone who can be that person in your life.  It can be as simple as asking someone whom you admire to meet for coffee.  Tell them you value their wisdom and want to grow in your own faith.  

Or perhaps you are a woman of faith who can share wisdom, time and cups of coffee with a younger woman.  Ask God if it is time to seek out one who can be taken under your wing.  Then pay attention when He starts showing you women who need the valuable input of a Mary or Martha.  Mentorship does not have to be a formal discipleship program put together by your church.  It can look a whole lot like two women sharing life at the kitchen table. 

Memory verse:  “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 NIV

About the Author

It’s so nice to meet you! I’m Dana Schaefer.  My husband Chris and I make our home in northwest Georgia along with our two children ages 14 and 10.  Professionally I serve as Academic Dean at Heritage Bible College.  I love digging deeper into Biblical contexts to see how the ancient words and practices impact our modern lives.  A perfect afternoon would include a good book, a porch swing and a glass of peach tea!

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