An Ordinary Hero
By Marilynn Chadwick
Sometimes you find heroes in the most unlikely places.Since today is Father’s Day, I want to honor ordinary dads everywhere who are living quiet, faithful lives. These guys are the real heroes.
A while back, I traveled to our nation’s capital.David and I met with influential men and women who faithfully serve our country. We took fascinating tours of the U.S. Capitol, awed by the courageous faith of our Founding Fathers. Their names are written in history – their impact will last for generations.
But for me, the real hero showed up in a taxi. Our driver was a gentle, friendly man with an East African accent. He talked about his 33 years of driving a cab.
His three kids had all graduated from fine colleges, he boasted with that special dad-kind-of-pride. All had prestigious jobs in D.C.
“You must have done some pretty good parenting,” I commented. “What’s your secret?” “My secret,” he laughed, “is America. In America, if you’re willing to work hard, you can reach your dream.”
“Hmm,” I replied. “There are some who would disagree.”“Ah,” he paused, “they have never lived in another country.” He had fled the severe persecution of Christians in Eritrea. I noticed the prominent cross on his dashboard. “People here don’t know what it’s like to not have freedom,” he said quietly.
Educated as an accountant, he worked as a cab driver. Day after day. Month after month. Year after year. “We have very smart kids,” he smiled. “They call every weekend and want to come see us. They say, ‘Mom, what are you cooking?’ Yes, I am a blessed man indeed.”
I knew we'd been with a true hero that day. And a man of honor.
Simplify your prayer life with three words
Prayer is vital to our spiritual health. It's so important that 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “Pray without ceasing.” Yet we often find it difficult to follow that command. Relationships and responsibilities vie for our attention, and prayer often gets placed on the back-burner. But it’s possible to make 2019 your year of focused and increased prayer!
David Chadwick’s latest booklet, 3-Word Prayers, can help you do just that. It suggests a power-packed approach to prayer that cuts through life’s busyness. And, it’s as simple as 1-2-3—just trim your prayers to three words.
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