Grandpa’s Journal

Or

Reflections of a Gentleman Farmer

On Choosing Heroes

Heroes are a fact of life. When we were children we played our games as a hero. For me it was the Lone Ranger and Roy Rogers. These heroes went about helping others and stopping the bad guys from doing evil. Who you choose as heroes is very important and the process goes on throughout life.

As we grow into adulthood we have the opportunity to pick and choose our heroes with deeper thought. We can pick those who challenge us to be our best or we can choose those who will lead us to accept our worst. That is one of the beauties of being human. We are freedom to pick our life’s direction and then act to move in that direction.

As a young man in college I made heroes of my college professors. One in particular impressed me and I choose Dr. Lunceford of Samford University. He taught Philosophy and seemed to really understand that crazy mixed-up mess! Later, when I taught Philosophy at a college, I could look back in amazement that I was doing what my hero once did. If I had not chosen Dr. Lunceford as a hero, would I have risen to the calling to be a college professor who taught Philosophy? Maybe or maybe not. I choose to believe that my choice of a hero helped me get to that professorship.

Another hero I had at the time was my pastor, Herold Barton. Brother Barton was not highly educated like Dr. Lunceford. He did not attend seminary and I don’t think he graduated college. Yet, he served a small church in a small town with love and care. He loved his flock and for me has served as a model for the ideal pastor. He drove an old car and wore shirts with a frayed collar but he loved the people. He was my hero. I suggest that being a hero has nothing to do with outward signs of success like a new car or expensive suits. Being a hero is helping others to find a better path and helping them on that path.

Now that I am old, I still find the need for heroes. I have been fortunate in recent years to know several older adults who served as heroes. One was Dr. Jack Robinson, who taught theology at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College until he was past 80 years old. Dr. Jack walked around campus every day for exercise. While he walked, he wore a Walkman and listened to lessons on Greek or other aspects of theology. He was not too old to continue learning. I have seen this trait in others who are older. One of my current heroes is a member of the church I attend. This man is 92 years old at present. He makes walking canes and has a new one to show every once in a while. I aspire to be a woodworker and I asked him how he made the crook for the handle. He said he looked for small trees with natural forks and curves that would lend themselves to handles. He also said something that inspires me. He said he also went into the woods and bent trees to tie them in a way that would make them grow handles. Wow! A 92 year old who is planning to make canes for years to come is acting on his plans. That is a hero.  

So, pick your heroes carefully. I think they can lead us to greater achievement or greater failure.