What a day it’s been! I thought to myself on Thursday as I grabbed a few things from the grocery store on my way home from a late-night meeting. In spite of my waning energy, I decided to look for blessings amidst the tiresome task.

So I thanked God for providing for our needs. Then I searched for something to give me encouragement and there he stood: a man purchasing roses. I imagined what a delightful surprise that gift would be; it made me smile.

While checking out I began talking with a checker I’ve known for years and suddenly we touched upon a topic near and dear to both of us: our mothers and the physical challenges they are both experiencing.

Suddenly I was not just a customer but a friend, both giving and receiving encouragement. It occurred to me that the real blessing was the late hour. The store was quiet, giving us the opportunity to connect and commiserate, for a few moments. My only regret was that we could not extend our visit over a latte.

Each of us needs a companion to talk with from time to time. The term “mentor” originates in Greek mythology and involves the hero Odysseus and his son Telemachus. Mentor, it turns out, was a loyal friend and advisor to Odysseus. He agreed to be Telemachus’ teacher and in modern English the tutor’s name has become an eponym for a wise, trustworthy counselor or teacher.

A century ago, when our society was far more agrarian, most young couples stayed close to home. There was a farm to keep and family members became mentors. Fathers passed on knowledge to their sons. Young mothers had mom, grandma, sisters, aunts and friends close by when encouragement, information and advice was needed. It was not a perfect system. People often felt stuck. They lacked privacy at times. But history, tradition and connectedness were there.

Today, as we manage to live in our 21st century world, I view my own family as a typical, modern unit. My husband and I moved away from our hometown in 1989 and happily re-established here. We learned to recreate family by elevating friends to “family status” and it is these friends -— along with our church family — who mentor us at the times we need the immediate advice of trusted friends.

We have also re-evaluated our responsibilities to others and centralized the role we have given church life and faith. Intergenerational contact has become decidedly more important. So has the desire to know God and look for His touch in our everyday lives.

Not one of us is called to go it alone. But if we do not ask God to enter our lives or make it a point to learn of His love, a natural isolation occurs. Likewise, if we never consider the joy and responsibility inherent in a mentor relationship, we risk being alone and undervalued.

So grocery shop late sometime. Don’t focus on being tired but choose to be available instead. You just might make a friend.