Today I met a few new heroes.

I sat with Clovis Steele and heard him talk about his experiences teaching school in north Mississippi in the 1960s during the height of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Clovis was a man ahead of his time, laboring for racial equality in the heart of the Bible belt where the scars of racial tension still run deep. I looked on as he proudly showed me a picture of his brother-in-law, clad in his pressed military uniform, a young man full of life. I watched Mr. Steele beam with pride as he showed me the purple heart that had been awarded to the family after this young man had been killed in combat in WWII. And I listened as he talked about what a blessing his sweet wife has been to him, taking care of him as his health continues to deteriorate.

I met Mrs. Margie Smith who was celebrating a birthday today. Mrs. Margie didn’t want to tell me how old she was, but I’m guessing she’s in her 80s. But don’t let that fool you; Margie’s. mind is just as sharp as ever. And despite my best efforts to encourage her, Mrs. Smith only wanted to talk about my life; she couldn’t believe how old my kids are getting, she encouraged me to keep preaching God’s Word, she wanted to know what it was like to grow up in Lebanon, TN. Mrs. Margie has had a tough life; her husband passed away 40 years ago; she would later bury a daughter, a son, and both her parents along the way. Through it all, Margie has persevered, thanks in part to a Patton-esque resolve and a wry sense of humor. And I have a feeling I’ll be spending a few more birthdays with Mrs. Margie; she’s showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

I met Diane, a woman who has committed her life to the care of the elderly. I listened as Diane repeated with tremendous attention to detail the various health ailments of a half dozen of her patients, men and women who desperately need the care she provides them. I listened as Diane told me how, as a young sixteen year old, she just knew that she wanted to spend her life taking care of the frail and the forgotten. I watched as Diane’s eyes well up with tears as she asked for prayers for her own mother, a woman who has been dealing with congestive heart failure and a host of other ailments. I held Diane’s hand as we sought Father’s help for her mother and continued strength for Diane and her ministry.

In a society where we deify youth, the elderly are easy to ignore. But I’m convinced more and more that if Jesus were here today, he’d be spending at least a portion of his time walking up and down the halls of our nursing homes and assisted living centers. He’d be with people like Mr. Clovis and Mrs. Margie, salt of the earth people who just need to know they’re not forgotten. And He’d be right there with Diane, encouraging her and equipping her to love a particular subset of the flock in a very special way.

Like I said, I have a couple of new heroes.