Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Monday, July 18, 2011

Made to Be A Hero!


From an early age, my boys have all possessed the desire to be a hero.  Their imaginations might have been  stirred through the comic book characters of Batman, Spiderman and the likes that are now being re-born on the movie screens recently.  Others might be pulled into the hero mentality through the Lone Ranger or Matt Dillon.  Each male has this gene born in them to protect and defend.


Through the years, my five boys have all dressed up as a superheroes.  One was Bibleman with the Sword of the Spirit and the Shield of Faith.  Benjamin and I built him a Batman Cave (click to view) from our closet.  They would come to save the day through their play.
 Year 2000 - my 4th and 5th child in entry way of our home
Most grown men still want to be the hero for their families.  In a society that bashes males, it is hard for the men of today to be celebrated as doing anything right.  The shows on television always depict males as idiots...they are a source of laughter, not a source of pride.

In the last couple of years, my husband has been hit with some very hard life curve balls.  His worldly identity has been shaken...his spiritual identity stands strong.  As we have hashed through what we did and didn't do right, he would say, "I just wanted to be the hero!"  His heart for his family is undeniable, as life just didn't quite go according to his plans...but God's plans are still being worked out.

Yesterday, I needed a physical hero.  Our move had left me both tired, physically and emotionally.  I think I fought it emotionally on every turn.  I packed the house up and overloaded my brain.  As I was getting ready for a date, wanting to look nice for my hubby, I realized I couldn't find my jewelry.  I don't have much, but what I have was bought early in our marriage and possesses extreme sentimental value.  I had somehow overlooked where I had placed my small, treasured jewelry box.

Calling him in a panic, he just calmly replied, "we will find it, don't worry."  I put the worry aside for the wonderful evening...not wearing my piece of jewelry.  The next morning, anxiety had settled in as I frantically searched the house.  We called the movers who had moved a couple of our large furniture pieces, including the dresser where I last remembered putting the jewelry box.  No, they didn't have the drawer containing my precious jewelry.

I hate to say it...but I lost it.  I started crying.  Hopelessness set in.  I couldn't understand why I was losing one more thing, hadn't the last few years taken enough?  Was it so horrible that I still had these couple of pieces of jewelry?

Calmly and steadily, my husband continued searching, with encouraging words to "not go there and we would find it."  I stopped looking, the wind in my sails were gone and I collapsed on the couch.  When I finally gave up, (now isn't that always how it works), he shouted, "here it is, in the bottom of this box!"

My Hero!
He didn't correct me. He just held me as I cried over seeing my pieces.  As the memory of when he gave them to me so many years ago flooded back.  He forgave me for my meltdown saying, "you have been overloaded... it is fine!"

I met him at church last night and the first thing I said was, "thank you, you are my hero!"

I think our society might spend millions of dollars to see superheroes on the screen, but maybe we need to acknowledge the real heroes.   The ones who daily serve their families.  The ones who provide, even when they don't enjoy their jobs.  The ones who go to all their children's events and take time away from their own pleasure to serve as fathers and husbands.
My Hero carrying Batman, who had given out from a long day and scary ride at Seaworld...a mighty task when batman weighs 50 pounds.

How do you celebrate the hero in your life?  I am going to celebrate mine.

23 Joining in with more words:

Vee said...

Janette, your transparency is a sweet thing. I'm so glad that you don't hesitate to share your humanity. I often think that everything is all neat and tidy in my own thinking and then one more thing happens and the whole stack comes crashing down. Not so tidy after all. Many blessings... It's wonderful to have a hero and it's wonderful to be a hero. And the good news is that we always have the best Hero Who is working on our behalf.

You must love the verse my hero calls his favorite: "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten--the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm--my great army that I sent among you." Joel 2:25

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

oh and haven't every single one of us had those same kind of melt downs... life can take a toll, and then God sends us a little blessing or lift, often in the form of a hero like your sweet husband.

You just wait... there is SO MUCH ahead for you guys!! :) And in the middle of so many roads you maybe wouldn't have chosen, the words on your blog minister to me and so many others every week. The sharing and honesty of your heart just draws me. You are me... we are all each other, in so many ways, and when you dare to speak up and share the hard parts, you are blessing and encouraging so many others who might be there too.

So, today... you are my hero! :)

xo

Farm Girl said...

It is so true, they need to know every day that they are our hero's. They put themselves on the line every single day. So glad you found your jewelery.
I love this post just because you share your heart and I know it has been so hard for you but you know what? You are my hero too.
I will keep you in my prayers.

Debbie said...

Oh Janette I am in tears over here for some reason...I can just soo identify. Right down to not being able to find some of my precious pieces of jewelery after we moved either....and I too was in tears. My things had been packed by my sisters and hubby as I was just days from my mastectomy's and was just a mess in every way. I was soo grateful, but it did make things soo confusing for a LONG time. My hubby just kept searching too, LONG after I had given up and melted down. He found them, tucked in a bag in an old purse....Can you imagine? They really are our heros! How happy I am for you that you have this wonderful man who loves you and is there for you!! And when you think that they are just another gift from Him, it really can make your cup runneth over. Your willingness to share your heart, your emotions, and your struggles makes you SUCH an inspiration to soo many. Hugs to you today my friend!

Unknown said...

ok..that was a tear jerker.. I loved it.. Im so glad your life is full of Hero's from big to little..
you are awesome and so blessed..
I love ya my friend..just remember,,keep breathing,,this too (the move) is just a season in time..I know..I was there..
xoxoxo

Rebecca said...

...thinkin' of the parable of the lost coin lady....and rejoicing with you that the lost IS found!

I'm relieved to know that I'm not the ONLY one who sometimes can't hold it together! And thank God for our heroes!

MY hero drove the 10 miles back to the park where we'd taken our grandchildren to play on Friday night. I got almost home when I realized I'd left my purse on the park bench. I was SURE it would not be there, but he returned with a smile, holding up the purse. He didn't "upbraid" me either. So like Jesus....

Anonymous said...

What a wonderfully written post Janette. Having recently survived a drastic downsize/move, I know how the panic sets in when you can't find the really sentimental/irreplaceable items. So happy your jewelry is not lost. Praying that calm and order will be yours very soon. Sounds like you are blessed with a GREAT hero!

no spring chicken said...

I love this post Janette. And I love the heart of the maiden who posted it.

Blessings, Debbie

A multi-dimensional life said...

Oh, Janette, I could feel your emotion as I read this. I've had similar meltdowns and isn't it good to melt right into the arms of your compassionate hero?!
I'm grateful for your hero and for mine...both earthly in our loving husbands, and heavenly in our grace giving Father! I'm glad your jewelry was found too! xo

Anonymous said...

You know, when I read your thoughts and actions about loosing that jewelry, I actually pictured myself because I too can get "carried away" like that with my emotions. Of course, my Hero (e.g., Husband) is always there to "calm my nerves." Sometimes I wonder where he gets his "super powers" to actually calm me down. :)

I also agree with your views about superheros. Married women should never take our husband's for granted. They should be treated as hero's for all the hard work they do, and all the support that they give to us. It's unfortunate that our current society is so bent on making men look "foolish." I really HATE that!

At any rate, I really LOVED this post. I also enjoyed the photos at the beginning with your son's dressed-up in their super hero costumes, so cute. I like the Bibleman hero.That's a good one! :)

Cecilia Marie Pulliam said...

Oh, Janette! I could so relate. It wasn't the monetary value, it was the reason behind each piece, and it was just the last straw in a whole string of unwanted changes. And of course, fatigue fuels the flames. Your husband is a true hero, and not just for finding the jewelry. I have a hero for a husband too. Aren't we lucky?

Sharon said...

Janette, this was just precious! I just returned from a week-long camping trip, and I tell you what - my husband is a real hero when we go camping. I think it brings out the "mountain man" in him. He chops the firewood, and he catches and cooks the fish. He makes the campfire, and tucks me into the warm sleeping bag at night.

A few times, utterly exhausted from a hike, I've had a meltdown or two. Mr. Hero is always patient and kind - a strong shoulder to lean on (literally and figuratively!)

I think God gives men a warrior's heart - and we are wise to applaud them for those qualities that make them...well, MEN!

Blessings to you as you settle into the many changes that have come your way lately...

Thinking of you, and praying for you.

GOD BLESS!

Sally said...

Love the superhero pictures. I have several of my son running through the house as one hero or another. Precious moments indeed. Happy to know what was lost was found. Blessings.

Maryann said...

This was such a touching post, I can relate to the meltdowns and how sweet of your husband to come to your rescue. Our husbands do want to be our heros(something I have had to learn)
Thank you for sharing your heart, it blesses me so much

Tanna said...

I am saluting your hero, Janette! And, his damsel in distress. You are the real life kind of people that set the world right. The kind of love you share and the value of family is precious to all of us. Thank you for sharing this story. blessings ~ tanna

Trisha said...

Beautiful, sweet Janette! Yes, my Beloved is so my hero! He's my rock, and I can't imagine what I would do without his coming to my rescue so much. :) Just last night, after driving his normal 3 hour daily commute, he was up on the roof at 10:00 to fix our swamp cooler so the house would be cool. (that's how we do things in the desert...swamp coolers. :))

Sandy said...

My heros? My husband, both of my
sons, and most of all Jesus. All,
in their own wonderful way, keep
me going.
I loved this post!
Hugs,
Sandy

Farming On Faith said...

What a great post!

I am catching up with your blog tonight~ I have missed your sweet blog!
I am going to look around a bit.

Hope you have a wonderful evening!

Cindy said...

Hooray! So glad your jewelry has been found. I know it isn't a huge thing from a worldly standpoint, but it was important to you.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

loved this...absolutely love this. Heros never give up. Heros hang in....you totally inspire.

Canadagirl said...

What a WONDERFUL reminder to celebrate our hero's in our lives. I am going to sit down and think of how I can make him feel really appreciated by the boys and me. He deserves a bit of recognition indeed!

I love this post, thank you. ((HUGS))

I pray things settle down for you I know how hard moves can be. extra BIG (((HUG)))!

Blessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

I love this post so much. I sometimes forget to say . . . I am tired, I worked too hard, I can't find my jewelry. Which would let my husband be my hero . . .which he is.

I really hate the ads on tv that make men look stupid. I've been noticing that even home stores (which guys usually use the most) do it. Why?

Keep writing . . .please.

Fondly,
Glenda

Leslie @ Farm Fresh Fun said...

Sooooooo sweet and handsome!!!! You are blessed to have so many heroes in your sometimes comic world! My meltdowns are many and my men do calm me as well... Sorry I've been MIA but tween Blogger and my connection I can't seem to comment often. :-(
I am impressed by all you're managing right now. Your home is gorgeous!!!! Wish I were a neighbor and could come help you "nest!"
xoxo
Leslie

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