During one children’s program, several children were asked about their families. When asked who his hero was, one young boy responded without hesitation, “My Dad!” What can give greater joy than to hear a child or grandchild make a statement like that?

Unfortunately, far too many children are growing up in a fatherless environment, and in the absence of a father or grandfather hero they have adopted heroes that aren’t really heroes at all. Have you ever wondered why so many unworthy people today are viewed as heroes in our society? Celebrities of dubious or destructive character are often the heroes celebrated by our culture, especially our young people. Why is that?

Part of the answer may lie in the sad reality that there are so few real heroes our young people know worth imitating. The apostle Paul said, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Wow! Either Paul was terribly arrogant, or he was confident that the life he lived was a life hidden in Christ for the glory of God. It’s almost as though he was daring any of us to find anything in his way of life that was not worth imitating. That is a bold and heroic statement!

Heroes are not celebrities or people who do superhuman feats. They are ordinary men and women who do extraordinary things the promote truth, integrity, justice, righteousness and humility for the good of others. They are committed to a greater cause beyond themselves, and they are willing to put their lives on the line for that noble cause regardless of public sentiment or outside pressure to do otherwise. A hero can say imitate me because my life is the real deal.

I believe it is time for new heroes to rise to the top who are worth imitating. Gandfathers, you are in a position to fill a desperate need for real heroes in your grandchildren’s lives. A secular study conducted by Ohio State University concluded that “Grandchildren with close relationships with their grandfathers are likely to perform well in school, display positive emotional adjustment, have higher self-esteem, and a greater ability to develop and maintain friendships.” Imagine the impact such a close relationship infused with godly character can have. That is the kind of hero your grandchildren need and will want to imitate. It will be a fountain of blessing in their lives.

Is your life worth imitating? Such a life isn’t about being perfect—just authentic. When we mess up, what could be more powerful in a the eyes of a child than to hear the words, “I was wrong. Will you forgive me”? Grandfathers, you have a unique relationship with your grandsons and granddaughters that can make a huge impact. They need you to be their hero.

Who would your grandchildren identify as their heroes? Would your name be at the top of the list?

GRANDPAUSE: Lord, make me so mightily unyielding to the enticements of selfishness that from my heart kindness forever flows. –John Piper