January 31, 2014

 

Five Minute Friday:  Hero

 

He has a quiet walk, one which enables him to alight on you without your knowing, but with your enjoying.  He is so often soft spoken that when he speaks a louder volume, you sense it is of utmost importance.  And, you find in yourself the desire to listen carefully. 

He is a man of great knowledge.  One whose love of God is evidenced in his gentle demeanor and sweet smile.

He knows for whom it is he lives because he has taken time to know, to understand,

He is a man of great strength.  One whose personal life has faced challenges that would have left most lying prostrate on the floor and yet, he, with quiet ability, lifted himself up to take another step in this journey of life.  And, he had done so with grace and peace and joy. 

He is a man of great heart.  It has been said that we are to watch who the little children love for it is those who have the greatest hearts.  If this is a solid truth, then it is further proof that the heart of this man must be big for little children love to sit near him to learn and laugh and sing. 

He is a man who has learned that we all have a place in this life and finding that place and growing it to the best of our ability is our life's mission. 

When I close my eyes, I see this man as a little boy wearing smallish shorts and white shoes, laughing.  I see him in his Sears jeans and flannel shirt riding in the back yard simply enjoying life and being a part of the family.   

I read his youthful writings and see great potential in such a young man.  He is able to pen words onto paper with a maturity that comes from living deeply. 

I watch him warrior up to life never quitting always battling to be the best "him" he can be. 

Working hard, striving harder…. 

Never leaving behind his great heart but always carrying it forward as one would their coat of arms during battle.

I've never one time, in all the years I've known him, heard him complain at the challenges that life has thrown his way.  Never. 

Instead, I've witnessed his humble heart strive to find reason for the seasons in his life and watched as he gave over his heart to being true to himself. 

Blessed I am to have spent these past 45 years walking beside him in this journey of life.  He has lived in those short years what most of us spend many more seeking to be.. 

Godly

Patient

Kind

Tender

Strong

Brave

Generous

Intelligent

Endearing

Noble

Faithful

Forgiving 

Of all the people in this life I am living, I have learned more from this man than any other….and, not from what he had to say… 

But, from how he chooses to live. 

When I look into his eyes, the window to his soul, I see a man who has lived fully that which God has given him… 

And, I am grateful he is in my life. 

He is more than my friend, my confidant, my valiant warrior at arms… 

He is my brother,

My Hero 

And, as I write that simple word, hero, I know he would bow his head and disclaim the compliment in humble refusal to see himself in that light… 

But, a hero to me is not one exalted to the sky for great works and acts 

A hero is one who walks quietly doing what is right and just and pure, not in his own name nor for his own sake,

 

But in example…..