Brave Knights & Heroic Courage

 

This past year, I read the book Different by Sally and Nathan Clarkson. I walked away from the book with many new insights, but the one that continues to stick with me is Nathan sharing how the stories of heroes became so ingrained in his head that he knew he could do something heroic for God. 

I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of superhero comics or movies, but Nathan's story helped me to look at this realm with new eyes. Of course, heroic figures don't just come in comic books. They come in all sorts of stories.

As I build up my home library, I'm keeping in mind how important it is for my children to read about brave knights and heroic courage. I want them to identify characters living with virtue. I want them to see the folly and flaws of those choosing vice. 

"Valor does not belong to an exclusive race of supermen. It is within the hearts of those who are committed to truth and honor, the kind of heroes with whom one can identify. Children have loved biblical Daniel, David, and Joseph for these same reasons and have gained deeper understanding of the relationship of courage to faith." (Honey for a Child's Heart, pg. 8)

Living with heroic courage begins with stories. It begins with stories of people we know and our favorite literary figures making tough choices and doing the right thing. It begins with my little one throwing on a mask and cape to save the blown-away umbrella.