The Chronicles of Biscuit - Who's Your Hero?

Who's your hero?

I should have seen it coming when the first big sentence out of Biscuit's 18-month-old-mouth was, "Hey, batter, batter! Swing! Strike two! Touchdown, Tigers!" He's been a sports fan(atic) ever since, and has, of course, learned that strike two and touchdowns don't go with the same sport.

Every day Biscuit changes clothes at least three times. He switches from play clothes to baseball clothes to football clothes to golf clothes and occasionally to some other sort of dress up clothes. I'll admit that he probably gets by with more in that area than any of the other three children would have. I think it's because we all enjoy watching him play because he's so "into" it and because I know he's the last "little" one around here. He's got a vivid imagination and is very entertaining us while he's playing.

The only problem, though, is that lately Biscuit seems to think the "sport's stars" are all great heroes and role models. While some of them are, many are not. In a world where pro sports players and entertainers are the highest paid people, it's hard for parents to teach children not to "idolize" them. In fact, a lot of parents may "idolize" them, too.

A true hero is one who lays down his life for another. War heroes are known for giving their lives for another or putting themselves in harm's way to protect others. A true hero is one who puts other's needs before his own. Parents are often times these types of heroes. They give of themselves physically, mentally, and financially to help their children. A true hero is one who unselfishly gives all he has. I think of rescue-type careers, such as firefighters, policemen, and others who give all they have to save or help someone else in need. Maybe you can think of other examples of heroes.

So, sure, it's fun to watch sports stars and some stars in the entertainment world, but we want Biscuit and our other three children to realize who the real heroes are in their lives. Of course, Jesus is the best hero of all! A true-to-life hero who laid down His life for all, who always put other's needs above His own, and who unselfishly gave all that He had - His whole life.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16-17

God's Sidekick

Several years ago a Disney movie came out called SKY HIGH. In this movie, people were either designated as "heroes" or "sidekicks". How you were classified depended on your "powers". Those with "super" powers were the heroes and those with "less-than-super" powers were the sidekicks.

The word "sidekick" is defined as:
1. A close companion or comrade.
2. A close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities.

As a Christian, we are God's sidekick! We are a close companion of His and we are accompaning Him in His activities! WOW! How does it make you feel to be a hero's sidekick? We all like that thought, don't we?

There are many ways we can help God with His "activities". We will find His plan for us when we read and study His Word. However, there are other activities in which God does not need our help - in fact, He commands us NOT to help.

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21

I don't know about you, but there have been times when I really didn't want to remember this verse. I was upset and I was contemplating ways to seek revenge - to "get back" at someone for something. I would say to God, "You need a helper? Oh, pick me! I'll help!" Wrong attitude!! This verse tells us to treat our enemies with kindness and in doing so it heaps coals upon their head. I might mention here that it is also the wrong attitude to only be kind to our enemy "to heap coals of fire on their head!"

We can let our desire to seek revenge go - as hard as it may seem. God gives us a promise in this verse. He says, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay". We can hold tight to this promise and give this concern over to God.

As you go throughout today and every day, remember that you are God's sidekick, and that He has lots of ways for you to help Him!