Tag: hero

Iron Men

~ Richard Solano ~ Leave a comment

I was good at cross country running when I was young.

In High School, I rode my bike so much that I had a hard time finding pants that fit. Pants that were skinny enough for my waste were too skinny for my thigh muscles.

You know what I liked about those sports?

I could be isolated when I did them.

By nature, I’m an introvert.

I crave alone time.

It’s how I recharge after a day of dealing with people.

Nowadays, I find my alone time in my “cave” (a spare room with no windows in the basement).

The bike tires are flat, so my gut isn’t. Pants that fit my waste have plenty of thigh room now.

So, what’s with the title? Am I writing about superheroes?

Maybe someday.

Proverbs 27 has a verse that says,

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

(ESV)

As much as I love my alone time, I can’t do life alone.

I would flounder, lose my motivation. Life would stink.

Since I was a teenager, I started intentionally reaching beyond myself. I purposely sought to get to know other people.

The friends I’ve made over the years have challenged me in so many ways. They’ve encouraged, challenged and corrected me enough to keep my on the right path for my life.

When I’ve strayed from that path, they’ve guided me back to it.

Hopefully, I’ve guided a few of them in return.

All this comes to mind now as our church is getting ready to kick off small groups for the fall season. I’ll be leading a men’s breakfast every Saturday morning in Brighton, Colorado. We have dozens of others groups in the area. Email me if you want any information about them.

If you aren’t in this area, I strongly recommend getting involved in some sort of small group.

If your church does not have them or you don’t go to church, start one of your own.

People grow better together.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17 NIV).

Let’s get to sharpening.

Close Up – What Makes a Hero?

~ Richard Solano ~ Leave a comment

What is it? Read through to the end to find out!

I’m now afraid of wasps!

A few weeks ago, I was walking to the backyard with the mower running when I felt a sharp pain on my leg. I turned to look and saw nothing.

But I knew that feeling. I’d been stung.

A normal person who, like me, is allergic to bees and wasps would go right inside and take medicine.

I’m not normal.

I finished the lawn, went to the gas station, came home and only then loaded up on the Benadryl.

My leg blew up like a balloon. My leg still itches a little.

So, even though I drowned several nests in wasp killer, I hesitate each time I go to the side of the house.

Does that fear make me a non-hero?

What makes a hero?

The dictionary says it’s someone who is admired for courage, achievements, or noble qualities.

Or a type of sandwich.

What’s your definition?

Mine is simple – Someone who, despite obstacles or fears, acts for the benefit of others.

Keyword there is “acts.”

Who are the heroes in your life?

For me there was that lawyer who consistently took time from his busy life to lead a youth group and me when I was 16.

Then there’s that missionary who continues to serve in Honduras, feeding hundreds despite the loss of her husband to COVID.

I could also go way back to that great-uncle who lost his life in service to our country.

The list could go on and on. These people should be honored for their sacrifice and commitment!

But here’s the important take away from this for me:

What should I be doing to be the hero in other people’s lives?

Take a moment to reflect. Ask yourself, “Is there something I could give up in order to help others? Is there a fear getting in the way of me helping others?”

Keep it simple and then take it to the next step. Make the sacrifice. Do what it takes to move beyond your fears.

Be the hero that someone in your life needs today.

Feel free to share in the comments about those who are heroes in your life or what you will do to step up to that next level of boldness!

The photo, as you may have guessed, is Captain America’s shield, wielded here by my friend Sawyer to help make our church’s “At the Movies” series more memorable to those who attended.