What is an Everyday Hero?

This is the first post in a four-week series about being an “everyday hero.”

After watching a series about this topic at church this summer, I started to personalize the idea and think about what the term “everyday hero” means to me.

When this four-part series is complete, I hope you have a clear thought of what the term means for you.

Like many children of the 70’s, I grew up enamored with the power and strength of superheroes like Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. When these shows were on, my brother and sister and I were glued to the TV. There was yelling when the bad guy had the upper hand and attempts to duplicate the moves of our heroes.

A hero is someone who sees a need and meets it. It’s as simple as that.

Of course I was partial to Wonder Woman because well, she’s a woman. Each episode of the show followed a general format; heroine faces problem, heroine gets in tight spot, heroin triumphs. No matter what problem surfaced, Wonder Woman saved the day at the end of the hour.

Movie goers world-wide proved this summer that there is still great love for heroes. Wonder Woman was revamped and soared in earnings as a summer blockbuster.

The story line of the current Wonder Woman has changed some from the original version, but the goal is the same–to save the day.

How awesome would it be to have someone swoop in and save the day for you? Forget saving the day, can someone please just come and get dinner on the table for my family?

In movies, saving the day typically involves a villain or a perilous end and a need to make things right. Don’t we already do that in our lives? When you help a friend or give a donation, aren’t you in some way making things right? Do I dare say it, doesn’t that help save the day?

One thing I took away from the summer series from church was a new definition of hero. Forget about super powers and magic lassos, although those could come in handy. Think real. Think everyday.

A hero is someone who sees a need and meets it. It’s as simple as that. When I started to view things with that lens, I started to think about all the heroes that I know. People who see a need and meet it. People who show up for me. People for whom I show up.

So, that’s what I’m thinking about this week. I love science fiction and the idea of superpowers and a group or individual who makes things right.

Since we are not able to have real superheroes, I’d like to have you think about what we can have–a hero next door, in your office or in your own mirror. Do you see it?

Do you see what I mean about “everyday hero?”