The term mentor is bantered about these days so frequently that it's hard to know exactly what the word means anymore.

This week I lost someone I considered a mentor many years before it had become fashionable.

Though I rejoice that this godly man has gone to be with Jesus, the world is immeasurably diminished because of his death.

Today mentors are considered long-standing if they have know their charge 3-5 years or have seen a youngster through the teen years. My mentor was involved with me and my family for more than 40 years. He was a friend to all because he knew the Best Friend of all. He was a merciful and gracious man because he had experienced God's great mercy and grace. He was a humble, gentle man because he was a member of the Great Gentle Shepherd's flock. He was wise because he sought for true wisdom from above and he had a remarkable sense of humor.

As the years passed and we grew up and went away we still kept in touch. The more time passed the less were the contacts, but it didn't change our relationship. We could always take up right where we left off. As old age and Alzheimer's began to take Stan's memories from him, my memories did not dim.

What would have happened to that little dysfunctional family if Stan and Simone hadn't purposed in their already overburdened hearts to take us to be their own. To nurture us, be gracious to us, accept us where we were and never once in all those years did either of them ever make any of us feel unwelcome.

Stan and Simone, StanandSimone, it was actually one word after all these years. It will be hard for Simone to go on I imagine because part of her will be forever missing until they are once again united in glory.  What a blessing to have known this humble, loving couple. To have benefited from their gentle, tender grace. It changed my life forever. And the lives of many. Only our dear Lord knows how many lives were nurtured and changed because of the, as Tozer put it, “the long, slow steady obedience in the same direction” that both Stan and Simone showed to high and low, rich and poor, saved and unsaved.

I have often been in study groups or ladies’ Bible groups or Sunday School classes where the subject of mentorship comes up. When it does, I always mention Stan and Simone’s name.

Stan never forgot where he came from (MONTANA!) and he never forgot where he was going (HEAVEN!).

He's there now!

Blessed be the Name of the Lord!