Not all superheroes wear capes.
They don't all have superpowers either.
In fact, they can come in the most unlikely forms and can be the most unlikely people.
It could be that random stranger that helped return your missing wallet. It could be that kind lady that paid for your bus trip when you were short of change. Everyone has someone in their life that they regard as a 'superhero'.
As cliche as it may sound, my superheroes are my mum and dad. I mean, raising my siblings and I was obviously not easy. And they made a lot of sacrifices for us, just as superheroes do.
I remember when I was younger, I honestly used to wish I had a different family, including different parents. Mind you I was a child, and I couldn't fully grasp the whole 'being content with what you have' concept.
As a child, I would look at my friends' parents and think that they were so much more cooler than mine. Just because they allowed them to do things my parents wouldn't; to go places that I couldn't go; to have things that I couldn't have.
The amount of times I used to think of running away, I'm surprised I never actually did. Probably because I knew that if I ever tried it, I'd:
a) be found out within a matter of hours and brought back and
b) receive one of the worst punishments of my life.
Growing up, my relationships with my mum and dad were very different.
When we lived in Scotland, my dad moved back to Ghana for work three years before we all moved there as a family. So my mum was the one who was with us more often during that period. Although my dad was also working back home to provide for us, my mum was also doing the same here.
When I hear about all the different jobs she used to have just to take care of us, I really just admire her. All the sacrifices she went through just to make sure that we had what we needed, as well as making sure we were growing well, both physically and spiritually.
My mother's love for God is very inspiring, and she's always wanted us to experience that intimate relationship with God that she has. One thing I'll always remember her for is her urge for us to always pray . The thing I've come to love about her is that, even when she feels like she doesn't have much to give us, her words of advice and encouragement alone are enough to get me inspired to do more.
I've realised that I got to know more about her as an adult/teen than when I was a child. I've learnt how my passion for reading and writing was also shared by her. When I look at her now, I see a woman who loves God and can share that love for God with everyone around her. And I love her for that.
With regards to my dad, I guess I never really got as close to him as I would have wanted until my teenage years. The reasons include the fact that he's always busy working and the fact that he can be quite reserved in nature (I honestly look at my parents and see a lot of my traits in them). Even now, there are still so many things I want to know about my dad.
Don't get me wrong though, my dad does make time for us. He's loving, supportive and always pushes us to do our best. He's also very generous.
The stories I've heard from other people regarding how much he's helped them makes me feel very proud. But I've still always wanted an even closer bond with him than what I have now. I know I'm gradually getting there though.
I'm talking about my parents a lot, but I just wanted to give you an insight into my superheroes. I never really appreciated my parents when I was younger and it wasn't until I got older and wiser that I realised the important things in life. The reason I'd complain about my parents was because they wouldn't let me do certain things or have what others had. And I feel like that's the same with a lot of us.
But those things never really mattered. I had (have) parents who have shown me the more important things in life and given me what I need to grow as an individual.
My parents are both pastor's children and they passed a load of wisdom to my siblings and I. And to me, that's one of the most crucial things. To be able to grow up in a home where the love of God was truly present is more than any material thing that would have perished within a short time.
I know there are things we wish our parents could have done for us, and things that we wish they could do or say even now. It's hard to understand the way they love us, but one day I believe we will truly understand their actions. No matter how it may seem, our parents really do want us to be better people. That's why they advise us and push us to excel in everything that we do.
Yes, they're not perfect. Yes, they may go about it the wrong way sometimes, take the wrong approach or say the wrong thing. But they're human too. And at the end of the day, they really just want to see us happy.
I know not everyone has parents. But a parent can take the form of any person, not necessarily someone related to you by blood. That kind adult that always checks up on you, cares for you and advises you, they are your parent.
So appreciate everyone in your life who cares and looks after you, because you never know when you won't have them around anymore.
What stories of your parents do you have when growing up? Feel free to share in the comments below or email me. Have a blessed day guys!
Stay blessed and stay a blessing.
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