Mighty Men of David
Mar 22, 2012
I have always had an active imagination, and am an accomplished daydreamer. One of my favorite Old Testament figures is King David. When I first heard the story of David’s Three Mighty Men (2 Samuel 23:8-39) I must have been very young, because I envisioned the Mighty Men as superheroes of the ancient world, with elaborate costumes and special superpowers. I suspect their superpowers were actually courage and an incredible devotion to their leader. As a child, I was also a fan of comic books and superheroes. Perhaps that is why I envisioned the Mighty Men as some hybrid of Old Testament narrative and a brightly colored comic book universe.Sometimes it seems like our world could use more heroes. Someone who can come in with superpowers to foil the plans of evildoers and protect the innocent bystanders and town-folk. One of the interesting dynamics in comic book stories is the great lengths to which heroes would go in order to protect their secret identity. It seemed to me that their secret identity would be better protected if they weren’t always wearing flashy costumes (Who else wears capes or masks?) and riding around in hot rod cars, motorcycles or even invisible planes.
But what if we do have modern-day, real-life heroes? Maybe some of our modern-day heroes just try to fly “under the radar” and don’t call attention to themselves.
Who are my heroes? Whom do I admire for their superpower feats of amazement? The house parents and foster parents that protect, nurture and restore children at Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries (ABCH). I have never seen one of them wear a cape or a mask. I do not think any of them can fly or see through brick walls. But I am amazed by their ability to take children who have been dealt an unfair hand in life through some kind of trauma (possibly through abuse, neglect or abandonment) and to love them in a way that is superhuman. It is pretty easy to love someone who is going to love you back, but these heroes love these kids not knowing if they will be loved back or not. It is easy to engage in acts of heroic sacrifice if you know they will be noticed. But these heroes engage in acts of sacrificial love knowing that no one may ever take notice. It is easy to rescue someone if you know the rescue will last forever. But these heroes protect children without knowing what the biological family or civil authorities might decide for that child’s long-term care.
David had Three Mighty Men. But there were 30 chief men who supported the Three Mighty Men. Our house parents and foster parents are Mighty Men and Women who are modern-day heroes of the faith. Can you be a chief support to them? Will you pray for our house and foster parents daily? Will you provide the financial support we need to continue to provide heroic protection to the fatherless? Will you write notes of encouragement to one of our house parents or foster parents to let them know their hard work does not go unnoticed? The purpose of ABCH is to protect, nurture and restore children and families through Christ- centered services. We are building hope and restoring lives. Join us! Heroic, indeed!
Rod Marshall, Children’s Homes President/CEO
Email your questions and comments to marshall@abchome.org.