What Makes A True Hero?

 Have you seen any real heros lately?  I mean do our kids know what that even means?  The word hero is defined as someone who has done something noble and good, something worthy of our admirations and respect.  There aren't a lot of heros to choose from nowadays.  Our politicians are caught in sex scandals.  Some athletes are caught using drugs.  I read about a 4th grade teacher who did an experiment with her social studies class.  The children had to think about someone they considered to be a role model, someone they aspired to be like when they grew up.  Then they had to draw a picture and present it to the class.  The teacher was horrified as the students began to talk about their hero.  Some chose figures such as Madonna, 50 Cent, and James Bond.  One wrote that he just wanted to be a "hitman" when he grew up!  If these are figures that our children want to emulate, then we are in serious trouble.  


As the primary adults in our kids lives, we have to teach them what a real hero is all about.  Single parents and grandparents raising kids today are heros.  Kids need to see that imperfect people can do things worthy of great esteem.  Parents are the most important force in their kids lives.  You can aspire them, teach them, care for them everyday, and protect them from danger and heartache.  Sometimes we won't see the results until later in life.  As a mom, I bet when you had your first child you had a whole new respect for your won mom.  Mothering is hard.  It's time consuming, tiring, and sometimes we just don't want to deal with it.  But, we have to.  Who else will fight for our kids?  Maybe your kids don't tell you all the time how much they appreciate the sacrifices that you make for them. Remember you are having a tremendous influence on them.  The world tells parents that we are irrelevant, replaceable, and even harmful.  As my kids are getting older, I am realizing more and more the opportunity I have to mold and shape the hearts and lives entrusted to my care.  It's the greatest privilege and challenge of my life.  It's a challenge worthy of a hero.  Yours is, too!