Who Is Your Hero?
Who Is Your Hero?
KLOVE, a national Christian radio station, recently asked their listeners to call in and give the names of their hero’s and tell why the hero’s had achieved that honor. I thought quite a lot about who I would say my hero is. After mulling the question over for many days, I came up with a name- Mercy Hope Contentment Love. What a strange name, but these days names are a little off center. I must admit, though, that Mercy Hope Contentment Love is not one person, it is four.
My dad, a.k.a. Mercy, is my first hero. I grew up with a firefighter, turned hardware salesman, turned fire inspector dad. My dad made his life work in the service/people industry. Dad was a tall man, 6 foot 6 inches to be exact. He had an easy manner, enjoyed his kids and grandkids, and liked to tinker in the garage. But my dad’s heart is what made him my hero. My dad loved Jesus and it showed in every aspect of his life. My dad spent countless hours listening to people of all ages. Dad listened to their trials and joys and encouraged them using his Bible knowledge. Dad also, in mercy and love, guided people to a deeper knowledge and love of Jesus. My dad exemplified the word mercy. He spent hours with people in the hospital. He gave his children the benefit of the doubt until we violated that trust. He gave money, even when he didn’t have any. He gave of himself, even when he physically hurt. Dad loved with a mercy that I have not encountered in any other person.
My mom, a.k.a. Hope, is my second hero. My dad died suddenly of a massive heart attack. He was just 67 years old. My mom became a widow at the age of 65. Each member of my family crumbled after my dad died. Our sorrow was immense. Our grief unbearable, but through it all, my mom kept hoping. Though my mom’s sorrow reached deeper than the ocean’s Marianna Trench, she was still able to infuse hope into her children. When each one of my siblings and I couldn’t see beyond our own troubles, mom exhorted us to look up to God and reach for His hope. My mom has created a life beyond her grief and her loss. My mom has been a beacon of hope to friends and family in spite of the tragedy that forever changed her life.
My grandparents and my husband’s grandparents, a.k.a. Contentment are my next hero’s. Our grandparents were adults during WWII. They grew into adulthood during the depression. Our grandparents knew what it was like to live in plenty and in want, and yet I never once heard any of them complain. My grandparents, both gone now, knew contentment. They didn’t purchase anything unless they could afford it. They bought a house that didn’t stretch their budget and stayed in that house until they could no longer care for it. My grandparents knew the wisdom in saving and living within their means. Similarly, my husband’s grandparents knew contentment. Grandma Nelson lived in her house for 70 years! The carpet hasn’t been changed in all the years I’ve known her (14+). Grandma and Grandpa Nelson built a cabin out of cast-off material from other building projects. Grandma Nelson lived happily within her means. She could have sold her house for a newer model. She could have changed the carpet, or gotten new furniture, but her heart was for her family, rather than for the comforts of her life. I have much to learn from the Grandparents I have been lucky to have in my life.
Finally, my husband, a.k.a. Love, is my last hero. My husband is not cupid. As a matter of fact I teased him this last Valentine’s Day because I wasn’t sure where his romantic bone was. However, my husband has exemplified love to me in ways that go far beyond flowers and gifts. My husband backs me up in the discipline of our kids. He plays with the kids when I don’t have the energy. He notices when little things are done around the house. My husband encourages me when I get discouraged with homeschooling. He teases me when I’m in a foul mood. He sends me funny emails (Rick Rolling) and praises me in front of his family. My husband is my cheerleader and biggest fan, encouraging me to follow my heart’s desire to write. My husband has stuck with me even when I didn’t want to stick with him. He also encourages me to stay fit (I don’t always want to hear it, but I know it’s best for me). He reminds me to keep track of my spending and stay within budget (again, I don’t always like to hear it!). My husband keeps our family on track spiritually and inspires me to live a Godly life. Love isn’t always easy, and it isn’t always fun, but it is so rewarding when you are able to accept it, and give it in each of its forms.
It is my hope and desire that as I look at each of my hero’s I will be able to cultivate their heroic traits in to my life. Hero’s don’t just appear you have to look for them as I’ve looked for mine. Now when I am asked who my hero is, I confidently answer “Mercy Hope Contentment Love- four people rolled into one.” Who are your hero’s?
