Heroes

Who are your heroes? It is important to have heroes. They just need to be worthy of the designation. My first hero was Roy Rogers. He had a horse named Trigger, a wife named Dale, and a faithful sidekick named Tonto. He wore a white hat and he took out the bad guys. By the way, did I tell you he could sing and yodel?

The next hero I remember was Mickey Mantle. I taught myself to switch hit because the Mick did. I always wore number 7 because he did. I loved the Yankees because Mickey played on that team.

I knocked doors to help John F. Kennedy get elected. I didn't really know a Democrat from a Republican but I loved him. When he spoke I was always inspired. He had a great looking wife and his kids were cute.

As I grew up, I began to learn that my heroes weren't all they were cracked up to be. Roy Rogers held up and seemed to qualify. But, the Mick turned out to be a pretty messed up guy. JFK wasn't satisfied with Jackie so he ran Marilyn and a few others through the White House.

Back then, my heroes were great athletes or Hollywood stars. Now that my eyes have been opened a little, my hero qualifications have changed. I now look for people who are making a difference in the lives of others. Some athletes still qualify but not because of their atheletic prowess. Guys like David Robinson, Curt Warner, Drew Brees, Tony Dungy, and John Wooden qualify because of the commitment they have to the world around them. So do Cal Ripken Jr. and Nolan Ryan.

But, more often than not, my heroes are not really public people. They are people like Bill Boyar. Bill changed the world through his quiet strength and his love for God. Cal Hopkins mentored young men and women for over 30 years as a high school coach. Ralph and Georgia Nelson had people sitting at their table every Sunday for as long as they were physically able. Jo Peterman was the wife to Dale for 62 years and she was the best friend to her grandaughters.

Jo's funeral was a couple of weeks ago. Ralph and Georgia aren't there to love people the way they once did. Coach Wooden is 95 years old and not able to do what he used to do. The point is this. We need heroes. We need people who know how to love and serve others. We need people of conviction. We don't need people who appear bigger than life. We don't need to worship celebrity. They will never measure up. What we need are people with humility. We need people with integrity.

I am thankful for all of the people who have impacted my life. I am thankful for people who show up and who make a difference. I am grateful for people of faith who live their convictions without a spirit of superiority or judgement. Today, I am more aware of how exceptional they really are. None of us are perfect. However, I do believe more of us can be a hero to someone. Our world needs more heroes. Think about it. Live it. Do well, my friends!