George Toles has been a mentor in my life for over fifty years

I am inclined to take my cues
from one I know who’s paid his dues
and learned the hard way what it takes
to gain experience.

I have discovered I need more
than just the dreams I have in store.
I need someone who shares my dreams
and knows they can come true.

I need someone whose honesty
means they will tell the truth to me
although my ego often longs
to only hear their praise.

Like old Saint Paul to Timothy,
I need someone who’ll help me be
the very best at what I do
by showing me the way.

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.  In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it… 2 Timothy 3:10-14