I got a sneak peak last night of what a huge effect mentoring can have on a boy.  Some dear friends have taken to heart the commands in scripture to minister to the fatherless, and some months ago discussed with me some specific ways they could help us.  Last night they took my two oldest boys for a couple of hours so the dad could coach my boys in chess.  The boys have participated for a year or two now in a chess club at our church/private school.  Initially they both really loved the game and the club, but had lost a little of the enthusiasm this year.  Over the summer, on the heels of their excitement, I bought a chess curriculum to help them build skills, but I hadn't been able to work it into everything else I have to get done in a week.  So my friend offered to work with them. 

The surprise came when I asked them how it went, rather than some ambivalent "Fine," I got about ten thousand words (from boys!) on all the new techniques they had learned and who had beaten who, and so on.  And today when it was time to go to chess club, they were waiting at the door.  Now I ask you, if one man can spark a boys interest in a game like chess, what could his mentoring do for the same boy when it comes to lifelong choices? 

If you're a dad reading this, please look around for a fatherless boy who can tag along with you and your son and learn a few things!  Or have them over with you and your wife to do something manly around your house.  Even if you never see it, you could be having a lifelong influence!