The Seal Of A Hero

One of the most inspirational things that my husband and I enjoy doing together is watching programs on military training – specifically – the training related to the Navy SEAL.

This weekend, we saw a movie that showed the training that the Navy SEAL must endure in order to be named a SEAL. What inspire us are not only the physical ability the soldiers must endure but also the mental toughness that is required to be able to get through the program. The military leadership has developed a program with nothing but the highest standards in order to identify those individuals that are not only willing but are also able to endure the harshest conditions – mentally and physically. For many are willing but only a few are able to meet these high standards.

Every time my husband and I have the privilege of watching what these men must endure, we are both humbled and so grateful that they are willing to lay down their lives for us - without complaint.  This gratitude raises an emotion within both of us that is hard to describe.

We realize, as regular citizens, that we will never fully understand what these Navy SEALS have to endure or what any soldier in the military must endure.

After watching this movie this weekend and reflecting on the commitment each soldier must have, I began to see a love story of people who are willing to accept a commitment to serve someone other than themselves.  It reminded me of the commitment that husbands and wives make on their wedding days:

“To have and behold from this day on, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do us part.”

My husband is not a Navy SEAL and he has never served in the military but in my eyes, he carries the seal of a hero.  Every morning without complaint and without regret and with total willingness, he reports to duty to serve his employer so that his family can be provided for and protected. I have never had to worry nor my daughters had to worry whether their dad had forgotten his commitment to love his family by providing and protecting us! Though the trials and the challenges have been many for him in his career, by God's grace his commitment to his family to provide and protect has been steadfast.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. If you have a loved one - a mother, a father, a wife, a husband, a child or a friend who has the seal of a hero, make sure you tell them.

Finally, the GREATEST hero of all is Jesus Christ. He is the Only One able to say to us, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) 

It is because of Jesus' love, sacrifice and His commitment to you and to me that we can have hope and life more abundantly! He is the Provider, the Healer, the Redeemer, the Creator and the Savior of the world!

Unlike the Navy SEALS, whom I highly regard, Jesus accepts us just the way we are because He has met the highest of standards for us! If you are willing, He is able!

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood – to be received by faith.” Romans 3:23-25

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)