Sacrifices Of Heroes Who Remain True To Their Own Set Of Values

The Master’s Golf Tournament carried great memories for me. Watching the old videos of former golfing legends kindled feelings of nostalgia. No other game in professional sports has a generational appeal like golf. Golf is a social game where older players are honored, even revered; where fathers and sons connect, where traditions are valued. I especially enjoyed the pre-game show about Jack Nicklaus. He kept family first despite his celebrity golfing status and won the Master’s six times.

As I thought about my reaction, I realized that many of these players are like folk heroes to me. I think of Arnold Palmer like I thought of Johnny Cash. They achieved such stature, each in their own field, that they became larger than life. We need folk heroes. Society needs more heroes of noble character.

I have some personal contacts that in my lifetime have won similar high status in my affections. Now they are icons, truly standing for something. For reasons that are important to me, they are my unsung heroes, quietly celebrated within their small circle of family, friends, or close acquaintances.

To me, these people are like the veterans of war, combat heroes with medals and scars; folks who endured struggles that brought them honor even though they now rarely discuss their old pains. They overcame; they endured, and eventually obtained victory on their battlefield of life. We often become the recipients of easy benefits because they paid a sacrificial price as pioneers.

Pioneers leave smooth highways we can follow. For some folks, their father or mother may have been the first in their family to make it to college, to get a degree, and to establish a prosperous path for their family. Or maybe, their parents struggled to get a new small business off the ground and it finally paid off.

Now, due to their hard work or success, they are able to give a hand to their children or grandchildren so they don’t have to work quite as hard. These are heroes.

I have fond recollections of some notable teachers. Mrs. Davis taught fifth grade. She helped me begin to love learning. I still feel affection toward a dedicated pastor, now retired and still respected.

Karl Strader was a quiet man of much prayer, who often quoted Scriptures, and was a real soul-winner.

There was not a sectarian bone in his body. He loved everybody who loved Jesus. He became a role model for me in his conversational preaching style.

I read a newspaper story about an old black man who was the groundskeeper for a botanical garden that sold flowering plants and landscape shrubs. He ran a lawn mower and kept the grounds looking beautiful. At first appearance, he seemed such a simple man, not likely to accomplish much. But the rest of the story was amazing. This man, who never earned much and had no education, was a man of extraordinary character and love.

He managed to put five of his children through college and then some! If I recall correctly, he had three doctors and two lawyers among his children. He was a hero to his family. Who are your personal folk heroes?

Heroes become great because they represent something we admire. They endure difficulty for a cause that is notable or worthy of honor. Maybe they display extraordinary talent that’s admired or blesses many.

This is not about wealth or popularity. My heroes are men and women who become great by being true to their values, and by the challenges they overcame regardless of any fame or fortune. RON WOOD IS A WRITER AND MINISTER. EMAIL HIM AT WOOD. STONE.RON@GMAIL.COM OR VISIT WWW.TOUCHEDBYGRACE.ORG.