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Topic: Heroes (03/08/04)
TITLE: Progressive Chain of Heroes By Martha Currington 03/15/04 |
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When I think about the common phrase, “You’re my hero!” I think about someone
who possesses positive, quality traits of personality and lives a life true to those traits . I respect and admire that person.
Of course, for most children, mother is our first hero , then we tend to follow Daddy around. When schooling begins, we usually add a special teacher . As we get a little older, we branch out to include entertainment personalties and movie stars. “ Oh yes we do!”
Early in my life, my hero was a cowboy that I faithfully watched on our new “black and white” tv. He dressed in all black, but he was the “good guy”. When I galloped around on my homemade stick horse, slapping my leg to make the horse go faster, pointing my cap pistol at the imaginary bad guys, I was the winner. I was “Bob Steele” , and not the skinny, long-legged, long-haired eight year old girl from the mining camp.
I rode my galloping horse, many days, up and down and all around the hills behind the mining camp. One of my sisters’ shared the riding trail with me. “Oh, I’m sorry!” It was Hoot Gibson.
A couple of years later, I discovered another hero, while studying history in school... Abraham Lincoln.
At home I slept in the same room with three sisters who often went to bed before I was ready. When the light was turned off, I sat on the floor with my study books in front of the fireplace. I’d do extra reading, sometimes my homework, by the bright flickering light from the orange-red flames produced by the coal fire in the black grate. This is when I identified with Abraham Lincoln, who studied his law books by the light from his fireplace. I was contented as a gentle lamb and happy as a lark!
In my late teen years I had no particular hero. I did enjoy Elvis Presley’s music and songs, but I never elevated him to idol nor hero status.. I didn’t even scream over him as so many others did. I really didn’t! I was too busy admiring my own boyfriend and keeping my school grades up.
During the late summer, after high school graduation, I attended a revival meeting. At the closing of one of those services, I opened the door to my heart and asked Jesus to come in. I was baptized a few days later. Thus, I began my Christian walk at the age of eighteen.
I attended college for awhile on an academic scholarship. I wanted to be a high school math teacher, but the love bug bit me , so I got married, then gave up college. Then, as the Luv’s baby diaper tv commercial says, “Get real!” I did, with the baby diapers, “luv” and all!
From that time forward, so many special people influenced my life ‘til I can’t call anyone my hero, more than the others. God placed many special people in my life. Some have always been a part of my life, others crossed my path at just the right time. These different precious people, through the years, are probably unaware of how important they were in my life, but I know, and God knows. Many links were added to my chain of heroes.
Now, I’m in the beginning of my “Senior Years”. In June I’ll be celebrating my 60th birthday, the “Big One” as I call it.
As I reflect on the past, consider the present , and contemplate my future, I realize who has been my best on-hand hero for many years. Without being sacrilegious, and with a loving, yielded , humble heart, I can truthfully say it has been , and is, the Holy Spirit. He gave me enlightenment about God, the Father, and His reality. Then He gently told me about Jesus, and led me to Him. He has and does, reveal the truth to me , not only about spiritual matters, but also minute details of daily living, according to God’s will. Sometimes we just have heart to heart communication. I thank God, the Father, and Jesus, for sending Him to comfort and aid us.
Yes, I’ve had a strong chain of heroes, the strongest link being the Holy Spirit. I feel blessed...
(hero: object of extreme admiration or devotion. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary)
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