Help a Wanderer.
Give the gift of coaching.
I’d be lying if I said that faithfully following Jesus didn’t involve quite a bit of wandering. After all, He had a walking ministry–-no tour bus or first-class airline seats for him. The disciples followed, trekking up and down stubbly mountain paths, around lakes, and into graveyards; they accompanied him across a stormy sea. Likewise, our lives of following take us to our own mountain peaks, cemeteries, and storm-tossed waters.
When we get to these troubled places, we need a guide. The Holy Spirit, yes, but we need others rallying around us, helping us discern by way of the light that He is shining up ahead
Almost two years ago, at some point in my own meandering journey, I had a dream of biblical proportions. In it, I was given a piece of Coach apparel to wear (Coach being a brand I’ve never purchased for myself, nor cared to). This Coach apparel fit me so perfectly that I marveled at the fit for a good portion of the dream. It took me days, however, to realize that the dream was an answer to a prayer in which I had asked the Lord if he wanted me to invest time and money in becoming a certified coach.
At the time, I hadn’t known what coaching was, but the dream told me to pay attention. In truth, I was dubious. I mean, everyone and their cousin were suddenly starting a coaching business and the socials were plastering my feeds with offers. Were there regulations? Standards? Accountability? Was one coach equal to another? And how did one know?!
Finally, attentiveness, curiosity, and a good dose of the Spirit led me to the International Coaching Federation–the gold standard for the coaching industry. From that point, I took courses that trained me in ICF core competencies and got certified with the Assemblies of God Coaching Coalition as well as with Professional Coach University. Along the way, I received mind-and-life-shifting coaching from peers and mentors.
I’ll spare you a course on all the things I learned, but let me boil it down for you:
Coaching works for all wanderers and wayfarers.
It works for leaders who need to clarify goals and strategies and improve team dynamics.
It works for parents struggling to manage work and family life and who want to reset their rhythm of work, rest, and play.
It works for singles trying to discern vocational steps forward.
It works for retirees seeking to make meaningful choices in a unique season of life.
It works for couples in seasons of marriage or pre-marriage.
It works for religious wanderers of all faiths.
How does it work? A good coach or coaching session does not impose answers on a client. Rather, a good coach serves as a companion on the journey, listening intently and asking the kinds of questions that evoke awareness, at times helping the client think beyond their pre-formed mindsets and inviting them into new perspectives. This process is undergirded by the core belief that the client is the expert on their own life and value system. The coach is not the expert; rather, the coach helps the client mine the wisdom that’s been available to them all along.
Sometimes, wisdom and insight just need to be excavated.
Like I said, we’re all wanderers. But is there a specific wanderer in your life who–right now–could use a coaching companion on the journey forward—perhaps a colleague, friend, or relative? A son or daughter, or a mentee/leader under your oversight?
‘Tis the season for giving, and I invite you to consider giving these dear ones the gift of coaching. You can purchase a gift certificate from my website for any amount. I specialize in what I call Holistic Coaching for Life and Leadership. A first-time session is only $30. This is low stakes for tasting and seeing if coaching with me is right for this leg of your friend or loved-one’s journey.
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More about my coaching philosophy
With love and appreciation,
Heather