Relationships are incredibly important to God. In Genesis, He created Eve to be a companion for Adam. Jesus had friendships with his disciples. In Acts, Luke says that the early Christians fellowshipped and ate together, sharing with one another and giving to those who were in need. Ministry and relationship go hand-in-hand.

When I was in middle school, I counted my youth pastor’s wife as one of my dearest friends. I loved to spend time with her. We didn’t even have to be doing anything special. Sometimes she would pick me up after school to grab a Coke and talk. Other times, I would come along with her as she ran errands or help her clean her house. The whole time, she was pouring into my life, helping me make decisions and learn how to be a godly woman.

I knew that she cared about me, so I hung on every word she said. I knew that I could share anything with her. When things were going on in my life that I didn’t feel comfortable talking with my parents about, I’d go to her first. She would always direct me to go to my parents, but she’d help me figure out how to bring it up with them.

Even as a middle-school student, she and her husband let me take on responsibilities in youth group and our small group. I felt like they trusted me, and this motivated me to rise to the challenge. Because I respected her and wanted to be like her, I wanted to be a leader to the students around me. She helped me start an after school Bible study in my middle school. The lessons I learned during this time in my life really laid the foundation for my spiritual growth later in life.

I remember very few sermons from that time in my life, but I absolutely remember the godly example she showed me. The relationship I had with her was ministry. Perhaps not ministry in the traditional church sense, but it definitely looked a lot like Jesus’ ministry to His disciples.

As we build relationships with our girls, we are ministering to them. Our girls may not remember all of the sermons they hear during their teen years, but they will remember the impact of the relationships we build with them. Many times, our girls are capable of great things. They just need a trusted leader to encourage them to step out in faith.

This leader and I have stayed in touch and she still influences my life. I am so thankful for the investment she made in my life.