By now you’ve heard the news of the partially-nude, positively-disturbed Gunman who opened fire at a Waffle House outside of Nashville in the wee morning hours on Sunday. I don’t like to mention the names of those who seek nefarious means of acquiring publicity, so I will refer to him without any name.

Never mind that he came to the White House last July seeking an audience with the president. The FBI immediately asked Illinois authorities to revoke his gun license, so four of his guns were confiscated. According to news reports, they were turned over to his father… who returned them to his disturbed son!

Gotta. be. kidding.

Now living in Tennessee, the gunman uses one of the same automatic rifles to gun down innocent civilians enjoying breakfast in the pre-dawn hours.

Unconscionable.

But our purpose today is to draw attention to the hero of the hour, namely James Shaw, Jr. He possessed the presence of mind to hide in the restroom and when the gunman went to reload, Shaw ran out and jumped the guy, no doubt saving many lives. It was a heroic act, putting his own life on the line for others.

Which brings us to today’s motto:

“Living by faith includes the call to something greater than cowardly self-preservation.”
~ J.R.R. Tolkien

Many phrases have become popular like “Looking out for Number 1”, “Grab all the gusto in life”, and other ill-directed sentiments veiled in a quest for fun. Yet, heroes operate and march to a higher calling. They are guided by a moral compass which many do not possess, so protective of their own rights and lives as to be considered stingy with others’.

I love the stories of heroes—regular, everyday people who spring into action under conditions and for situations for which they’ve rarely prepped. It might involve scenarios ranging from the simple to the serious. No matter what, let’s seek to be a hero to someone else today.

Happy Monday, everyone!

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