Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Heroes to Be Cowboys

          Willie Nelson had two hits that didn't go well together.  Mama’s Don’t Let You Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys and My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys. Don’t get me wrong, I like cowboys but if you don’t want your kids to be like someone, they shouldn't have them as heroes.

          Willie isn't the only person to get that mixed up.  It seems today we make heroes of people we wouldn't want to be like. We idolize people because they make a lot of tackles, run fast, look cool in movies or can hit that high note.  Never mind their numerous arrests, that they have had several children by different women, their drug addiction or that their clothing passed immodesty a long time ago.  Shouldn't the people we emulate be more than wonder trick ponies?  Is that all we strive to be?

          Heroes and role models should be chosen very carefully.  As parents we shouldn't let our babies heroes be something we wouldn't want them to be.  The people we hold up for them to follow shouldn't be excellent in talent only.  We need to give them people of character, faith, and moral excellence. People like this are not easily found in the sports field, entertainment arenas and Hollywood stages, they are found in the Lord’s church.  We need to help our kids see the heroes in the pews, those that love the Lord and serve others; people who are examples to follow because they follow Christ (1^st Corinthians 11:1).

          It has been several years since Charles Barkley famous “I Am Not A Role Model” Nike ad has aired but I wonder if we should think about it again. We can admire the strength in the guy that can hit a golf ball 300 yards or the steel nerves it take to hit the last second jumper but we should get that confused with who we want to be like. Our role models need to be something more than that.  Our heroes should always be Christians.