What Makes a Hero?

May 2009

She’s there for a couple hours every weekday morning and then again in the afternoon. Rain, shine, or snow, when school is opening or closing, she’s on the corner, making sure traffic stops at the intersection so children get to school safely. Those of us who pass by her probably don’t think of her as a hero; the word hero summons up deeds of epic proportions. But she’s making life and death decisions for our kids, and that makes her a hero in my book.

Some of our heroes are those who’ve demonstrated astonishing bravery in the face of adversity, people who’ve exceeded all expectations. Esther is among them. But the world is full of unlikely heroes—people like you and me—who step in to help in situations that might otherwise overwhelm someone.

A friend of mine who had never lived with a dog before recently adopted an eight-week-old puppy. She’d lost sleep for several nights (puppies being much like babies) and was exhausted. I was able to provide tips on how to help the puppy sleep through the night and take care of potty needs, resulting in restful nights for all. It was a small thing for me to do—I work with animals all the time—but after a couple nights of uninterrupted sleep my friend sure thought I was a hero. In the sense that I helped solve a problem that was overwhelming her, I was.

I’ll bet you’re surrounded by heroes in your own community. The young woman I saw in the grocery store helping her elderly neighbor with the shopping. The friends who bring dinner for the family with a newborn. These folks and so many more are the heroes who help by lifting the burden off another’s shoulders. I suspect that you not only know some of these heroes, but that you’re one of them too.

Take some time this month to notice the heroic deeds of those around you, and while you’re at it, notice your own. Remember that each time we’re able to lift the burden from another’s shoulders we’re doing the work that God asks of us. As the mystic Teresa of Avila reminds us in her prayer:

God of love, help us to remember that Christ has no body now on earth but ours, no hands but ours, no feet but ours. Ours are the eyes to see the needs of the world. Ours are the hands with which to bless everyone. Ours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good.

While you’re noticing all the heroic deeds that occur every day, take time to be grateful for them and for the heroes who do them. Thank God for the opportunities given to you to ease the burden of others.

Also thank those who are helping others. It’s so easy to take these simple but important deeds for granted. Perhaps today would be a good day for me to go to the corner and thank that faithful school crossing guard.

Debra K. Farrington is a retreat leader and has written eight books of Christian spirituality. Her Web site is www.debrafarrington.com.