The Firefighter Challenge

This past Saturday night I attended a fundraiser involving firefighters from across the state.  It was a blast and the firefighters were all good sports and seemed to be the most genuine people.  Throughout the evening, we attendees treated these guys and one gal as if they were celebrities.  We were getting their autographs and having our pictures made with them as if they were famous movie stars.  For that night, they received admiration.

It wasn't until the next day I realized the significance of the event.  The right people were treated like heroes.  We freely give our adoration to movie stars, rock stars, and athletes, and so many of them really don't deserve it.  But all across our country, police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other civil servants risk their lives for us, and we take them for granted.  Rarely, do we think of them as superstars.  But, they are the real superstars.  They are the people who will risk their lives for you and me - people they don't even know.  "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends."  (John 15:13, NLT) These men and women who would die to save us deserve our admiration and adoration every day not just at a special event.

So, I want to challenge you to make May "Firefighter Appreciation" month.  Take the time to send a note to your local fire department or fire house and say thanks.  I believe the guys I met Saturday would really appreciate it.

If you take the challenge, let me know.  I'd like to know about it.