Hero

I love a good superhero story. You know, a regular guy has some life-changing event happen to him and somehow is transformed into a crime-fighting do-gooder, righting wrongs and saving the day for all the good people of the city. In the end, the often reluctant hero even gets the girl, riding off into the sunset with an epic fanfare of a theme song echoing in our ears. I always wanted to be the hero. If Bruce Wayne could be turned into a vigilante, if Peter Parker could climb walls, if Billy Batson could yell "Shazam" and turn into Captain Marvel, then why couldn't something AMAZING like that happen to a nice guy like me? Even hanging out at the "Hall of Justice" sounded pretty cool to me (I wonder what they served in the staff cafeteria there... "Yeah, I'll try the Bat-burger with super secret sauce, but hold the Kryptonite bits, please!"). I'd have a really cool hero car, a tricked out "lair" and maybe even a side-kick (Amazing Boy or something like that).

Alas, a am not a hero. Not even close. I'm actually fairly average, not very "super" at all. Well, I CAN make a SUPER burger on a grill, but I'm not sure that qualifies as a "power". The truth is, I have no secret identity, no special gadgets, no sidekick, no super-human abilities to speak of. I am just me. But as I've grown, I've come to realize that being a "hero" is not necessarily being able to fly or breathe underwater or lift semi-trucks above my head. I've learned that a real hero is someone who simply does this: he puts OTHERS before himself and GIVES help to those that need it the most. A hero stands up when others shrink back. A hero faces his fears, even when completely scared out of his mind. A hero serves his family, his community, his church, his country. A hero goes unnoticed, unheralded, un-thanked and unknown. A hero doesn't necessarily wear a uniform, but can always be counted on when you need him.

Who are YOUR heroes? Your father? Your mom? You spouse? How about your children? Who do YOU look up to and wish you could be like? Do you remember all the things that this person has done for YOU? When was the last time you looked your hero in the eye and said "thank you"? Do they even know that they are your hero? Maybe we should tell them.

The greatest hero of all time is Jesus. He gave his life for me. He loved me before I even knew who he was or even cared. He never gave up on me or let me down. His power is beyond anything I have experienced, his love is deeper than all others. He alone is worthy of honor and accolades. And I want to be just like him. No cape, no matching tights, no mask - just a willing heart that shows love to everyone and compassion to those in need. The original Superman.

Remember during this Thanksgiving season to take time to say "thank you" to your heroes. And remember to give thanks to the One who loves you more than you'll ever know. That's all that he really wants - just for his children to show him a little bit of love and gratitude back. When you live a life of thankfulness, you'll be surprised at what little time you have to ponder what you don't have. And you might just become the super-hero that you've always wanted to be.

But seriously - lose the purple tights, man. That's just wrong.