I thought about doing a week of posts with different categories.
I thought about just doing a roll-call of different heroes that have influenced my life.
So many good writers and videographers have written so many things that are so good about heroes. If you go on Facebook today you will see some heart-warming posts. If you go on Youtube you will see some fantastic videos which hopefully will include some Lee Greenwood and Charlie Daniels.
I went to some dictionaries to look for a good definition of the word. If you know me at all, you know that I almost always prefer the definition I find in my old printed Websters (one of the best High School Graduation Gift I was ever given ~ certainly the one that has lasted the longest). However for this word I prefer the definition I find on Wikipedia.
Characters who, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, display courage and the will for self-sacrifice—that is, heroism—for some greater good of all humanity.
Stop and think about that for a few minutes.
A collage of images runs through my mind as I think about this definition.
Images of soldiers and of Arlington Cemetery.
Images of firefighters rushing into buildings as everyone else runs away. Carrying out the injured.
Images of policemen rushing to a scene of violence or holding a child in their arms to protect them from harm and comfort them.
These are the heroes who are willingly risking their lives every day. They have wives, husbands, children and parents who support them, encourage them, and share them with us.
There are other heroes of course.
There are the doctors who work long into the night to comfort and help the sick and injured; the marathon surgeries to correct deformities and injuries, or to remove cancers.
The nurses who care for patients whether the patients appreciate their care or not.
The teachers who work year-round to encourage indifferent children (and parents!) to learn.
The pastors who preach the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ faithfully and serve their people tirelessly (oh the stories I could tell you about that!).
Some heroes are fighting other battles, like my cousin Danny and my sister-in-law Nancy who are battling against cancer and its effects.
There are the unsung heroes who work tirelessly from before sunrise to long past dark to care for the children God has given them.
Look for heroes today. You probably won't have to look far to find them. Be grateful for all of them and for their families.
Look for ways that you can serve them. Perhaps just a smile and a heart-felt "Thank you!". Certainly your faithful prayers for them and their families.
Heavenly Father, thank you for these men and women who work so hard to reflect Your grace and mercy to the rest of us. Thank You for their willingness to serve You by serving us. Thank You for their service. Watch over them today Lord. Protect their bodies and their souls. Comfort them, strengthen them, encourage them. Please give them the wisdom and the grace that they need to get through each day. Help us to remember to be thankful for them. Help us to remember to pray for them. Help us to remember to find ways to serve them and to show our appreciation for their service. Guard their families while they are away serving us. Comfort their wives, husbands, children and parents. Most of all dear Lord, help us to remember that they are a picture of the work that Jesus has done for us through His death and resurrection. In HIS name we pray. Amen
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