Everyday Heroes

This is the weekend we celebrate and remember the heroes who helped bring about our country's freedom and Independence. But instead of writing another piece about those great men and women from our collective past, I want to salute a few of the people who are heroes in my life, today.

I think my Dad's a hero, and not just for always trying to be a good father.

Before retiring, Dad was a good, honest man who many times relied too much on his trust and friendship, and not enough on his business savvy. This led him into capital ventures with people who didn't live up to Dad's faith and trust in them. When those enterprises didn't quite pan out and his partners disappeared into the woodwork, it was Dad who was generally the one left holding the bag for thousands of dollars of debts owed to creditors and a hostile IRS.

But he never openly complained or blamed anyone but himself for his misfortune, never said a bad word about the people who let him down, and never lost his faith and trust in people. Some might call him naive, a bad judge of character or a fool for having to pay for the mistakes of others. A lesser man might have crumbled, but Dad faced the music, didn't throw anyone under the bus and nobly came through the hard times with head held high. So my Dad's a hero.

So is my friend, Bhret.

After a 17 year marriage that produced 4 terrific kids, all under the age of 13, Bhret's wife decided 17 years was long enough for her.  She needed ‘greener pastures’, less responsibility, more fun. So she left him for another man- a friend of the family no less. Some friend, eh? So it was left to Bhret to not only be Dad and provider, but Mom, too. A lesser man would've probably thrown up his hands, cursed the ex and God, and let himself drown in self-pity. But quietly and with dignity and never losing his faith in God, Bhret has forged ahead and kept his family together.

It hasn't been easy, and probably won't ever be. Holding down a job, maintaining a house and raising four adolescents isn't for the faint of heart. And though the divorce could've eaten him up and un-spooled all their lives, my friend Bhret has stood up to the challenge. I think that makes him a hero.

My nephew Ben is a hero.

Born with all sorts of physical abnormalities, and not expected to live more than a day or two, Ben is now 22. He's probably survived more surgeries and health scares in his first 22 years than a doctors' waiting room full of octogenarians. But Ben is here- alive and kicking and fun to talk to and hang out with. He's creative, makes awesome videos, and though his heart doesn't work as well as yours or mine, and has been operated on three or four times now, Ben has more heart than just about anyone I know. And I think he's a hero.

My friend at work Sarah is a hero, too.

In my job in programming, I complain about the software issues I face daily, and the woe-is-me world of working in the creative side of the operation. But my job is nothing compared to Sarah's. We both work for a coast-to-coast and world-wide radio ministry, yet I am seldom if ever called on to deal with the public. But Sarah is every day.  

And being on the front lines and working in customer service in a ministry, is not like working in the complaint department at Sears. People don't call us to see if they can exchange a sweater they bought. They call about their financial contributions and statements. But more importantly, many reach out to us because they are hurting, lonely or depressed. Some are angry at God and take it out on whoever answers the phone. Some have lost loved ones, or their jobs, or their homes and are at the end of their ropes. Some are suicidal. But every day, sometimes all day, Sarah handles each heart-wrenching contact with care, professionalism, patience and a servant's heart.

It's a hard job, one that could easily suck the soul out of a lesser person; and a job I know I probably don't have the fortitude to even ever want to try. And while it’s true, at the end of many days Sarah is often drained, the people she’s served and interacted with that day never know it. It's done quietly, off the grid and merely as a part of the regular grind. But I think the wisdom, compassion and dedication she brings to the job each day makes Sarah an unsung hero to our callers and to our ministry.

The lovely Amy is my hero, too.

Being married to me is no day at the beach, but that's not why Amy's a hero. No, for still being the tender-hearted girl I married 18 years ago, despite my moods, need for space and for not always living up to what she dreamed and hoped for, she's earned her place in heaven.

But I see Amy as a hero in so many other ways than just because I’m lucky enough to be married to her.

I see a sweet, caring friend to Dawn and Michelle and Libby and all her other chums.

I see the loving daughter she remains to her parents.

I see the devoted aunt she is to our two littlest nephews Travis and Daniel.

I see the devoted Christian woman who continues to faithfully serve and bless, not just our God, but our church as a long running member of the worship team.

I have seen her quietly assume almost a surrogate mother role to the above mentioned Patterson kids, providing another rung of stability and support in 4 young lives that have been battered about during the storms of their parents’ divorce.

She prays for me, for my friends, my family, even her friends' families, as often and as hard as she prays for her own family and well being.

She's a volunteer, in both time and with hands, provides wise counsel when asked, yet also knows the exact the right thing to say when doing it my way doesn’t turn out so good.

She's nursed me when I've been sick, laughed with me when I've laughed and cried with me when I cried. 

And I know she doesn’t see herself this way, but for sharing her gentle loving spirit with those she cares about, and with me, too, throughout life and the life of our marriage, my Amy is also my hero.

I also know I’ve left out plenty of other friends and people who've enriched my life, now and in the past, and continue to look up to. I hope you know who you are. If not, than I need to tell you more often. But you are no less loved and well thought of than the ones I've written about today. God bless you all, thank you for being a part of my life and, in your own way, being a hero to me. Have a happy 4th of July.