Recognizing a Hero
Posted by Danielle Street on Sep 24, 2012 in Blog | 31 comments
We were all born with the desire for someone to rescue and save us. We long for a hero who genuinely cares about us and displays courage, strength, and bravery. While we ultimately honor and worship our amazing Savior, we still recognize and admire individuals who are displaying Christ-like qualities. During my journey towards maturity, I’m discovering that the Lord will rise up special people who touch our lives in extraordinary ways.
My father-in-law is a quadriplegic and has been in a wheel chair for 17 years. This month he was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer and had to undergo surgery to remove a tumor. He may not feel like a hero, but he has modeled for me what it truly means to continuously seek the Lord during extreme pain and discomfort. Throughout each difficult trial, I have watched him continue to glorify God and firmly rely on His power and His amazing promises. Most importantly, my father-in-law’s commitment to grow in his faith has inspired me and many others to draw closer to our Perfect Hero, Jesus Christ. His remarkable testimony reminds me that I can always say with complete confidence, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).
Are you seeking your Perfect Hero and Savior? As you grow, are you noticing the incredible people in your life who are displaying courage and bravery?
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Thank you Danielle for sharing that with us. I will continue to pray for your Father-in-law and your family. God bless you.-Ami
We really appreciate your prayers, Ami. May we all remember to pray and rely on God’s promises during difficult times.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Danielle and Josh,
You are blessed to be in the shadow of such a great man of God. The example and legacy of faithfulness that your father-in-law lives daily is inspiring. I am humbled to hear his story and yet encouraged at the same time. I will be praying for your father-in-law’s recovery. Much love to you and your family.
Thank you so much, Anya. I agree. We are extremely blessed to have such a wonderful role model in our lives.
Praying for your father-in-law and all of you… May His blessed peace be ever present through every step toward his healing.
Just hearing about Josh’s Dad has humbled me, inspired me and made me desire more of what God wants for my life. I always wonder how strong my faith would be if I was in the midst of an extreme trial. He has certainly been an unbelievable example of courage and and commitment. I never met him, but he has touched me heart. Thanks for sharing Danielle and Josh. We will continue to be praying for this courageous man!
Thank you, Shannon and Judi! I am truly amazed by the power of prayer. It has been giving my father-in-law and our whole family the strength to get through each difficult step. Judi, it brings me great joy to read that my father-in-law’s story has touched your life, too. Thank you so much for letting us know!
Very nice, Danielle. Keep them coming…
Amen! That is beautiful Danielle! We all seek , most of the time unknowingly , for that “hero” here on earth to look to. But Christ is the “perfect hero” as you said, and we need to constantly be reminded to keep our eyes on Him! however, few and far between we meet someone who inspires us to keep our focus on the Lord and they are our Heros in the Faith!!
Thank you, Stephen and Elisa! Your encouragement and motivation means so much to me. Elisa, I love what you wrote. Wow! Praise God!
I believe the best gift any father can give is to give his children a peek into the heart, love, compassion, mercy, and grace of our Heavenly Father. Often times, the way we portray our earthly fathers will have a direct correlation with how we view God (as He is described as a Father). It sounds like this is exactly what your FIL has done for both you and Josh. What a gift!!
We will be praying God surrounds you all with His love, and peace as you walk together through this journey. When we went through my cancer and I would feel overwhelmed with my circumstances, I would break down my stress, worry, that feeling of having little control, and anxiety by breaking down this verse…
Phil 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
What is true about your circumstances? What is right/what do you know? What is pure, admirable, lovely? How is God showing HIS excellence through this? How can you continue to praise HIM through this battle? It helped me to keep write all this down, make lists, and keep my mind focused where it needed to be! Hope this is helpful for you as well!
We will keep praying!!
Your beautiful words brought tears to my eyes, Erica! Thank you! I agree the best gift our earthly fathers can give is to encourage us to build a deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Philippians 4:8 is an excellent verse to think about during trials. I’m so glad you shared it. This verse reminds us to focus on eternal things. Awesome questions to think about, too. I love the question, “How is God showing HIS excellence through this?” Praise God! Amen!
Thanks for the beautiful reminder Danielle. It reminded me how often we as humans search for a earthly hero. It’s such a blessing to see someone like your father-in-law’s model total submission to our Savior. You comment also caused me to reflect on how others see me in time of pain and suffering. As you know Danielle, this is a very timely discussion for me. Praying for your family
I’m so glad you added your thoughts, Karen. You brought up an excellent point. God often uses an individual’s testimony to help us reflect on our own story. Thank you for reminding me of that!
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him” (Psalm 91:1-2).
Thank you for sharing, Danielle. Your father in law sounds like a true inspiration. It is also a reminder to me of how ridiculously lucky I am and the blessed life God has given me. I pray that we all can find the strength, and peace, and beauty in God no matter what this life here on earth throws at us.
I agree, Kathy. It’s so easy to forget our blessings when we endure trials. I’m guilty of it! Hearing how God is working in other people’s lives can motivate us to be thankful in any situation we face.
Wow Danielle!! I too often wonder how people get through such trials in their lives. I have found a much closer relationship with the Lord through my own trials and adversity. I do look to the mountains and know my only help comes from the LORD! There are many time he has put certain people in my life that can be an example to me and you just know that it was the LORD who sent them.
Thanks for sharing.
Amen! Darlene, I love how you mentioned you have gained a deeper relationship with God through your own hardship. I find I often need to be reminded of this reward! It’s amazing how we can experience such a wonderful, intimate connection with our Heavenly Father if we just turn to Him during trials.
Danielle, I was sitting here reading this and I knew before I read it where it was going. I had to stop reading to just let the tear flow, before I could continue reading. God has used Uncle Don so much in my life and I am so glad that he is a part of my life. He always know what to say at the right time and talks with such conviction. He truely is a Hero!!!! Another Hero I know is his wife Aunt Joanne, I never hear her complain about what she is going through and how much her life has changed and will change. Not many people know this but no matter what I am going through I can call her and Uncle Don and they will talk me through it and pray right over the phone with me. They both are a Blessing from God and I love them very much..
Danielle thank you so much for writing this and sharing this..love you lots
It has been a long hard road for my parents and their seemingly never ending trials. I will never forget the day my dad fell off that ladder, it plays in my mind often and I remember it like it was yesterday. Even though it kills me to see him suffer through his accident I have had opportunities to grow closer with my parents that most people never have. They are always there for me, supporting and backing me in whatever I do. They are not perfect and have had struggles however they work through them and continue to look to the Lord and praise Him for everything. God has tested my dad’s faith with all of his trials and he keeps stepping up to the plate, rising to the challenge and glorifying Him through it. Looking at him, the word hero might not come to mind but his courage, inner strength, humbleness, love for others, and many other wonderful qualities makes him a hero in my book any day! My brothers and I are blessed to have our parents and we thank the Lord for them. Thanks Danielle for your help and support while my dad was in the hospital, I feel like we have grown closer through this too! Love you…
Andrea, I truly love what you wrote. It gave me a chance to see things from your perspective. You mentioned some wonderful qualities about your dad. I just want to say I genuinely admire your courage through it all. I have watched you have such a willing heart when it comes to helping your father with his needs. Your’re right. Through each trial, you have had opportunities to build a deeper relationship with your parents. I feel honored to have observed this. I even had the chance to grow closer to you through this difficult time. I’m so glad I was able to pray with you and spend more time with you. May we all continue to rely on the Lord for strength and glorify Him. Love you.
sorry for all the messed up words in my comment above, as you can tell I was a mess when writing it..lol
Your’re words were absolutely beautiful, Melissa. No need to apologize! You wrote from the heart! That’s not easy for many people to do. It brings me great joy to read how my in-laws have personally impacted your life.
I am so happy that you mentioned my mother-in-law! I texted her today and reminded her that she has touched my life, too. I always love when she shares with me special verses God has led her to read each day. I am also inspired by her commitment to continuously seek the Lord to help her with my father-in-law’s daily needs. Thank you so much for sharing and posting your comment, Melissa. Love you, too!
Don is truly a soldier of the Lord! He exemplifies a Christian man who faces life battles but continues to glorify the Lord. For the past 10 years I have seen the Streets praise the Lord regardless of their circumstances. I especially admire how his wife Joanne has and still does faithfully care for Don’s daily needs. She is a hero of a woman to me who willingly with such a sweet spirit glorifies the Lord through her gift of serving!!!It is true that behind every great man is a great woman!! Daily, she lifts up her eyes unto the Lord….
I agree! Amen! Thank you for adding your comment and sharing what you’ve noticed about my in-law’s testimony. They may not feel like heroes in Christ, but their example is touching so many people’s lives!
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (I Corinthians 16:13).
Thank you for your post. I will keep your father-in-law in my prayer.
Thank you, Dicky. I am so grateful for my brothers and sisters in Christ who have been praying.
I’m so sorry to hear this, Danielle, and I pray for continued strength, peace and healing for your father-in-law. Judy
Aw, thanks, Judy. I really appreciate it. “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17).
Sharing a similar thought on looking to the hills…
http://justhappeneduponthis.wordpress.com/2012/10/27/hope-from-the-hill/
Hi Doug,
Welcome to my blog! I just checked out your site. I noticed you were led to use the same verse. I love Psalm 121 where we are reminded our help comes from our amazing Creator!