Joel M Bradshaw

17Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.–Proverbs 27

1. 3AM friend. Nothing good usually produces a 3AM phone call. There is some catastrophe in your home or in your life and you need help. If you don’t have a 3AM friend, be a 3AM friend. I have leaned on this type of friend during catastrophe, and made myself available as this type of friend, as well.

2. MENTOR. Every man needs that older man, every woman needs that older woman, who not only has the experience, but the wisdom, and is able to speak direction into the younger one’s life. If you are that older one, be ready to speak life to the younger. And if you are the younger one, SEEK OUT such wisdom. And allow that person to speak truth in your life. Everyone needs a mentor. When God brings you someone, prayerfully and faithfully be a mentor. I am grateful for the men who have built into me. I am honored to build into the younger men who look up to me.

3.ACCOUNTABILITY. Every person needs accountability in some area of their life. Marriage, parenting, exercise, diet, time management, habits, etc. Your team not only can speak right to you, but they have your back when you need them to. You’ve also given them permission to be as direct as possible with you. You’re not going to run off offended when they call you on your excuses. Crave that team. Be that team. Seasons of my life have greatly benefited from such a team.

The next time you feel unsharpened, look at these 3 sharpeners. They are certainly not exhaustive, but I’ve seen them all make a difference in my life.–JMB