All my friends are super-heros: or the importance of living in community.

What if I told you I was friends with super-heros in real life?  They can't shoot webs out of their fingers, nor do they wear red capes or battle aliens trying to take over our planet......though I've seen some children who strangely resemble aliens trying to take over our planet. No, my super-heros are a little more 'normal' looking.  They are the quiet unsung heros who were just trying to survive and somehow did it marvelously.  And if I were to tell them that I have figured out their secret super hero identity, they would laugh it off and quickly list their personal faults.

They are the moms who managed to keep multiple children alive through the toddler tantrums and potty training years, and who are still smiling.

The friend who has four boys (3 running and climbing, and 1 baby), yet still manages to surprise me with flowers and chocolate for my birthday, and invite people over for supper.

The friend who welcomes and mothers four foster care children, pours out her life for them as if they had been hers since birth, and bravely raises them through the drama ridden preteen and teenage years.

The friend whose children receive complements from strangers at the zoo, because they treat the other children with such kindness.

The friend who tirelessly works to provide healthy food choices for her family, has has volunteered in the classroom/fieldtrips, and still has a heart for lifting the burdens of her neighbors.

The friend who graciously provides respite care for foster parents, dog sitting for people on vacation, and who is willing to help anyone out day or night.

The friend who raises a plethora of children, enough to fill her own sports team, yet her kiddos are know for their sweetness and obedience.

The friends who have spent years doing foster care or investing in area kids and teens through church ministry.

The friends who work full days, then come home and pick up a book, ball or start wrestling with their kiddos instead of picking up their phone or remote.

The friends who live with chronic or terminal illness/pain, yet still ask how you are doing.

They would all disagree, and probably point to someone else as the hero. But being a hero doesn't mean you have some supernatural ability to go through tough things without being affected. Rather it's continuing to choose what's best, even when it's hard. Simply put, it's putting one foot in front of the other to keep walking even when the way is stormy.

It's being faithful today.

Honestly, right now it's easy for me to feel overwhelmed by a number of situations. I feel too weary to keep walking (both figuratively and literally). But I'm trying to remember that I don't have to handle everything in front of me yet.  I just have to be faithful...today. 

One day, all of the today's we were faithful in will fulfill all of the tomorrow's  that overwhelmed us. 

Today, let's do two things.  First, look around and notice how many of your friends or coworkers are 'super-heros', and sent them a note/text to let them know you notice.   Finally, let's just put one foot in front of the other and be faithful in our current situation. For you never know when you may be someone's super-hero.

"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Mat. 6:34

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing"  

1 Thess. 5:11