Eight years ago this week I performed the wedding of a young couple, Steven and Brandy. Steven has been like a son to me since I began mentoring him in 2010. This week he thanked me for a chat we had at a TCBY yogurt shop the night before his wedding. “You told me I could ask you any question I wanted,” Steven said. “You were so transparent and honest.” That chat at TCBY marked Steven forever!
When I spend time with a disciple I imagine it could be my last time to see him. I make the most of the opportunity. I deeply engage. I make eye contact, show concern and listen carefully. Then I prayerfully pour out encouragement and counsel. Proverbs 25:11 says: “The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry.” If you let the Holy Spirit direct your words, your disciple will treasure your counsel for a lifetime. Look for those “TCBY” moments. Invest your life. A simple conversation can be an unforgettable, life-changing moment.