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God~Our Team Captain

God~ Our Team Captain

My Sunday thoughts are quit simple.

God is our team captain.

This is what I have been thinking about,

When I was in school, a while back, our PE teacher would pick team captains. It was then the captains’ job to pick his/her team. I can remember the feeling that I would get when I would get picked. It felt good. Right? Do you remember the feeling of being picked? I do and I don’t ever want to forget that feeling.

That is the same feeling I got when God pick me to be on his team. You see, strong players are the backbone to every team.

But being on God’s team requires some responsibilities. Here’s my list:

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.

Ecc. 4:9

We have to work Together. When we work together, we can double our strength and get more done.

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Proverber 27:17

We have to have each other’s back. Being on God’s team is so special. It’s like checks and balances. We have someone watching our back. God will help us if we falter or lose sight of our goal, just like a good friendship. A good friend doesn’t always agree with you, what you do or what you say. A real friend is someone that is willing to challenge you, to be a better person. A team player encourages his teammates to be better players. Teamwork and friendship work in similar ways.

We have to work together. We all have something unique and special to offer God’s team. We must realize the gifts God has given to us through his love, together our team will have so many options and great advatages to share with others on our team.

We have to fill our spot. Teamwork relies on everyone knowing their position and fulfilling it.

We have to love our team mates. Teamwork requires a good foundation of truth and love. This is sustained by the forgiveness of God. We must follow God’s example and forgive each other. We also need to encourage others.

We have to be good communicators. I know that communication is key in any sport. I also know that communication is important when we are on God’s team. Prayer is the key to communication with our God.

To be an awesome team player, we don’t have to be extroverted or indulge in self-promotion. In fact, great team players have all kinds of personalities. All we really need is to be active, we need to participant and we need to play our role. To be an awesome team player, we need to put our teams objectives above our own and take the initiative to get things done without being asked. In the end, our team will win.

So what about being a team captain? Do you think that God assigns some of us to be “Team Captains” right along with him?

I do!

This verse provides the answers, and I love this verse:

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

John 15:16

The verse is very powerful, right? I mean read it again. These are words that Jesus said.

“I have chosen YOU”

It gives me the goosebumps to be honest with you.

So what do we need to become a team captain? Do you think that God makes us team captains? Oh, I think he does and I think that we need to know what it takes to be a good captain. Here are my thoughts:

Team captains are team leaders. When God assigns us to be a “Captain” we need to listen, communicate and respects those that are on our team. Being a Godly example is to what I’m referring.

Team captains think positive. Being optimistic really means to be hopeful of something good. When God puts us as “Captain” we need to motivate those around us by saying, “We can do this together”, “I will join you.” God doesn’t want our team to fail. Positive thinking enables us to perform at a level that we would never think would be possible.

Team captains pray for their team. God knows our skills, well in fact, God knows everything and we need to pray that God will direct us in everything, everyday. Team captains know what their teammates are capable of doing and not only prays for them, but also gives their teammates opportunities to succeed.

 Team captains understand that it takes a team to win. I know that it takes a team everyday to help me and my family. Right? Yes, I am thankful for those that pray for my family and I. I am also thankful that God listens to my prayers for those around me. It truly does take a whole team working together  to win our game called Life.

Team captains know their teammates skills. I am so glad that God knows the skills I am capable of doing. He knows yours as well.

Team captains knows their teammates personally. Being a “Captain” takes time. Time seems to go so quickly, but it is actually the most important gift we can give our team. Time. Yes sitting down in the quiet, praying and listening is always crucial. Taking time to get to know our teammates is important as well.

Team captains are mentors. This one is so important and like I started before it takes time. Mentoring will help win this game of life. Listening, giving affirmation,being a friend, loving, caring, giving Godly advice, tips and instructions is all you need to be a great mentor. God is a great mentor example for all of us.

Bottom line: team captains take responsibility to lead all of his/her teammates. If God assigns us to be a “Captain” then we need to make sure we are thinking and acting for the betterment of our whole team and not our own benefit.

The most important teammate that we can have on our team is God. He is THE “Team Captain.” In this game of “Life” we are all teammates. Some of us might be assigned to be a team captain, but we all have the same goal. Right?

When God calls each of us home, we all want to see his face at the end of our race. So why not help each other out? Well this week I am stepping up my game, I want to be a team captain. I want to be a better team player and I want to pick you for my team.

Will you join me? Because I just picked YOU to be on my team and you have some responsibilities to fill.

 

Happy Monday to you all.

 
Categories
School Teammates Youth

Why Mentoring our Youth Matters.

Why Mentoring our Youth Matters.

 

Who has had a lasting impact in your life?

Who do you credit with helping you get to where you are today?

Maybe it was a teacher, an older cousin, a coach, a neighbor, a friend, or an extended family member.

For me, it was a teacher that believed in me. She knew that I would make a difference and she pushed me to become a better person. I always looked for her approval and I still think to my self, ” Would Mrs. D approve?”  I can still, to this day, hear her saying, “Naomi, when you make decisions, make sure that you are using your head.”

This, my friends, is the power of mentor. A year ago, I started in the Teammates program at our school and I am thankful that I did. A while back, I had a conversation with a friend. I was explaining to her that I loved being a mentor. “You need to share your story,” she said.

This post has everything that I think you need to know about being a mentor. So without further ado……….

Here are my two cents about being a mentor and why it matters.

 

The Impact that Mentoring can do.

Have you ever asked someone about their success story?

I am betting that their answer will be that they had a mentor. Whether it’s professional, personal, or spiritual, mentoring is often a great motivation for growth and accomplishments. Mentors offer steady support, hope, wise guidance, experience and encouragement.

“Show me a successful individual and I’ll show you someone who had real positive influences in his or her life. I don’t care what you do for a living — if you do it well I’m sure there was someone cheering you on or showing the way. A mentor.” — Denzel Washington

According to research, there is a huge improvement in mentees that have a mentor. Research has seen improvements in mentee’s academic performance and a reduction in days absence from school along with reduction in disciplinary referrals.

Check this graph out about the research.

Studies point to increases in confidence and performance as well as decreases in risky behavior in students who are mentored.

*Girls with a mentor are two and half times more likely to be confident in their academic performance. Boys with a mentor are three times less likely to suffer peer pressure and anxiety, and two times less likely to develop negative behaviors.
*A mentor increases a student’s likelihood of attending college by 50 percent. Teacher mentorship nearly doubles the odds of a student attending college.
*Youth in a mentor program are 46 percent less likely to use drugs and 27 percent less likely to use alcohol.

“The impact of a TeamMates mentor on the mentee is profound, with the majority seeing improvements in their academic performance and a reduction in the number of unexcused absences and disciplinary referrals.” (Teammates.org)

I know that mentoring can improve academic performance, school attendance, graduation rates, and attitudes. But, the power of a being a mentor runs deeper than any numbers that I can find. Words of empowerment — “I believe in you,” “you’re worthy of this opportunity,” “I think you have what it takes,” “it’s okay to try and fail,” “keep trying,” “your awesome,” “you did a great job,” — all help recognize and unleash a mentee’s potential, which I know can change their course in life.

Why I became a Mentor. 

Above I stated research studies that point out the impacts of being a mentor, but I have to tell you that I didn’t even read those when I signed up to be a mentor. I just knew that I wanted to make a difference in a student’s life. Can you make time every week to make a difference in someone’s life? I guarantee that the benefits of being a mentor will out weigh any inconveniences that you may have.

I became a mentor because I wanted to invest in others. I wanted to give back to our youth in our community. I believe the most impactful way to improve our community is my spending time investing in the next generation. One of the most effective ways to give back to your community is not necessarily money – it’s time.

I became a mentor because I wanted to help a youth realize their potential. I wanted to bring out their unique talents and gifts and then celebrate with them when they reach their goals.

I became a mentor to learn more about myself. Yep, you read that right. Great relationships are two-way streets. Right? Being a mentor has taught me more about my strengths and my weaknesses. It has taught that its OK to share our experiences and beliefs with someone else.

I became a mentor to change someone’s life. I wanted to share my power of life in someone else’s life-in particular, a youth. I wanted to be a positive impact on a youth’s life.

I became a mentor so that I could be a better leader. I believe that investing in someone’s life challenges our perspectives in our lives, it makes our interpersonal skills better and exposes you to the other side of the street. I believe that mentoring gives you the opportunity to learn by doing.

Benefits that I have received since being a Mentor. 

The benefits that I have received since being a mentor have been more than I can ever put into words. The impact of making a difference in a person’s life is very humbling. This is what I have witnessed:

I made a positive impact on a youth. When your mentee sees that someone really does care about them because they want to rather than because they have to, they start to see their own self worth.

I can see the growth. I can see more confidence. I can see love. I can see more life goals.

I have become a better listener.

Can you be a Mentor?

It takes minimum time for maximum rewards. Being a mentor requires you just one hour a week with your mentee for the school year. Did you read that? It only takes an hour a week!! By investing in a mentee, you will be improving yourself, you will be improving their self esteem, you will be helping them improve their grades and will be encouraging them to set goals and achieve them. Think about this, one hour a week that will last for a very long time.

Want to know more about mentor? Drop a comment and I will get you in contact with a local Team Mate Representative.

 


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