Tuesday, June 22, 2010
My Mentor, Adrian, Part 2
I’ve spoken of him before in my blog. His name is Adrian Smith – a farmer and businessman from Central Ohio. Adrian is an intelligent, hard-working man with principles. He is a determined man who follows through on every project he begins. He is a man of deep faith who loves His God and has served Him well during his life.
Adrian was my Sunday School teacher when I was in Junior High and High School. When I was 14 years old, he led me to faith in Christ. The years following, he mentored and discipled me and strongly challenged me to choose a life-long vocation in Christian missions which I began in 1972. I owe a lot to this man.
A few weeks ago, I visited Adrian and his wife Dona, in their home. This is the same home where I spent many an evening as a teenager, around the dinner table with their family. As I sat across the room from Adrian, I was weeping on the inside as he explained to me that he has terminal cancer. Very soon, he will be with the Lord he has served all his life.
Adrian was to me what the Apostle Paul was to Timothy. Many of the principles found in the book of Second Timothy were the very ones Adrian taught me. He would tell me, “do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.” He would say through words and by the way he lived his life, “follow the pattern of the sound words you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” Never quit. Never give up. Stand firm in your faith and calling. Continue to serve Him until He calls you home. That was Adrian’s message to me.
I know Adrian and Dona would appreciate your prayers at this difficult time. They are walking by faith, still trusting Him, still serving Him. Like Paul, Adrian says, I know my God will “bring me safely into His heavenly Kingdom.” Such is the faith of this godly mentor.
Rick
Adrian was my Sunday School teacher when I was in Junior High and High School. When I was 14 years old, he led me to faith in Christ. The years following, he mentored and discipled me and strongly challenged me to choose a life-long vocation in Christian missions which I began in 1972. I owe a lot to this man.
A few weeks ago, I visited Adrian and his wife Dona, in their home. This is the same home where I spent many an evening as a teenager, around the dinner table with their family. As I sat across the room from Adrian, I was weeping on the inside as he explained to me that he has terminal cancer. Very soon, he will be with the Lord he has served all his life.
Adrian was to me what the Apostle Paul was to Timothy. Many of the principles found in the book of Second Timothy were the very ones Adrian taught me. He would tell me, “do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.” He would say through words and by the way he lived his life, “follow the pattern of the sound words you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” Never quit. Never give up. Stand firm in your faith and calling. Continue to serve Him until He calls you home. That was Adrian’s message to me.
I know Adrian and Dona would appreciate your prayers at this difficult time. They are walking by faith, still trusting Him, still serving Him. Like Paul, Adrian says, I know my God will “bring me safely into His heavenly Kingdom.” Such is the faith of this godly mentor.
Rick
Labels: mentoring
