Little Acts of Heroism

What do you think of when you hear the word “hero”?

Maybe Spiderman or Superman? Someone with super-human abilities who saves the world from certain doom?

Or perhaps you immediately think of a “hero of the faith” — a mere human who faced incredible opposition or obstacles to accomplish something amazing for God.

Maybe you remember a story from the newspaper: a man who rescued a complete stranger from a burning car or a child who called 9-1-1 to save his mom.

All those definitions certainly fit the concept of hero. But let me share one more. I was thinking last week about the people in my life who I consider heroes. Who challenges, inspires, and amazes me?

More often than not, it isn’t the people who do something earth-shattering, the ones who make the headlines. Instead, my heroes tend to be the people who get up every morning to faithfully face another challenging day in a long line of challenging days.

• It’s the wife who wakes every morning not knowing if her husband’s cancer has returned…again.
• It’s the couple caring for their aging parents.
• It’s the mom who cheerfully sacrifices her time and energy for her child with special needs.
• It’s the woman who encourages and blesses others daily, even as she knows she has only days or weeks left to live.
• It’s the wife and mom who kisses her husband good-bye as he leaves for a six-month deployment, and then faithfully cares for their five children.

It’s each and every one of them — the folks who remain faithful to the Lord in the tasks He’s set before them. They give of themselves even when they’re drained. They serve family and friends when they’re the ones in need of care and support.

Heroism is seen in the big things. But so often, it’s seen in the little things even more. Heroism is revealed when “rising to the occasion” means rising to greet another day, surviving that one and preparing for the next.

Galatians 6:9 encourages us to faithfully complete these little acts of heroism when it says:

Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

I’m so thankful for the heroes in my life — the people who demonstrate faithfulness in “doing good.” They encourage me to face my own challenges and struggles with trust and a determined spirit, looking forward to the eventual harvest.

Who are your heroes? What little act of heroism can you perform today?