There are a few people I think of as my heroes; or more accurately as heroes of the gospel. For instance, in the High Desert in California, in the city of Victorville, there is a man whose name is Gary. Gary was/is a drug addict who came to church one Sunday morning with his girlfriend Tracy looking for help to get their lives back on track. Gary was in trouble with the law, with Family Services, with just about everybody you could name, but he wanted to do better.
Gary and Tracy knew there had to be a better way to live. They showed up at church and asked for help. Though no longer together, three years later, Gary and Tracy have been baptized and are still off drugs. Gary has custody of his son, attends church every Sunday, and helps wherever he can. He also goes to school. His goal is to become an addictions counselor so he can help others the way he was helped. I love Gary and Tracy deeply; they are my heroes.
There are also other heroes in this story, and they are the people from this little congregation in the desert who supported Gary and Tracy and others while they went through this enormous change in their lives. They are people who really didn’t know how to help drug addicts, but also knew they had to say yes when asked. They learned how to support people who were getting clean, and be patient with them while they learned what it means for them to live a Christian life. It took great courage and patience for them to do that. The members of this little congregation are true heroes of the gospel, and they will always have my undying respect and admiration.
Do you have heroes? Who are they? What do they do that makes you admire them?
Monday, November 9, 2009
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What a fabulous word choice! My heros ... all those men and women, sons and daughters who faught and continue to fight in the many battles around the world. My dad, grandfather and uncle have all served. For all they see/have seen, lived and died for ... they are my heros. For the difference they so desperately hope to make and have made ... they are my heros!
ReplyDeleteHow will you remember them?
Sorry ... just have to post one more hero ...my mom! She is the glue of our family, her friends, church and her community. She gives of herself tirelessly. She cooks, bakes, volunteers, supports and loves all those around her. She is a shinign example to her children and grandchildren of what it mean to be a good person and a child of God! I am honoured she is my mom!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mel. Al your choices are always appropriate as heroes, but especially so as we all don our poppies for Remembrance Day.
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