I Need a Hero

If I didn’t experience the chaos, would I seek His peace?
If I didn’t feel the pain, would I want His comfort?
If I didn’t get angry, would I make the conscious choice to have joy?
If I didn’t have a need, would I go to Him?

Life is not perfect.  If it was, would we look for God?  If we didn’t need saving, would we ask?

The times in chaos, the pain, the anger, the out of control-  Aren’t those the times when I grow?

She’s so beautiful, my mother. Gentle, kind, sweet, and strong. She is faithful and courageous. The love I pour into my children, I know she poured it into me. My soft heart, my desire to create beauty… comes from her.  She brings us all together, and floods us in her love.

His hands. I will always think of my Dad’s hands when I think of him. Strong, a little rough, but still soft. Once just Daddy’s hands, now they belong to Papa. When I think of determination and fortitude, there is no question that my Dad is a picture of these. He is the encourager, the coach, the motivator. Here, I see myself too. Seeing good in people and wanting to draw it out, that comes from him.

I’ve always known that I have great parents. Yes, as a young person I despised the very things that I now am thankful for and value:  their discipline, protection, and stringency. Then as I have become a parent, of course that creates a new perspective and appreciation. But looking at their lives, adversities never pushed them away from God. They have never shrunk back into themselves when facing fear or pain. They go to God’s Word. They cling to Him. Day in, day out, they know who holds them, who holds me. Heartbreak, anger, injustice, loss, sickness… they press on. All the while, holding us up, and holding us together. Always loving, always sacrificing, always looking to Jesus.

Now I see them, truly see them, in the world around me, and I am in awe. I don’t know why God blessed me in this way. I know that not everyone has this, and I thank Him for giving me this gift. This gift of an example before me, and support around me. This gift of unconditional love, an unfailing bedrock to always land on, it always points me in the right direction. As much as I love them, and know how beautiful they are, I know that it is not them alone. I know who gives them strength.

I don’t know about you, but in this world of chaos, I need a hero. And that is what they have been showing me all along.