Die With Your Boots On

The 2003 classic, Secondhand Lions, tells the story of an introverted young boy (Haley Joel Osment) who is sent to live with his eccentric great-uncles (Robert Duvall and Michael Caine) on a farm in Texas.?

In one scene , Hub, played by Robert Duvall, gives advice to the young boy.? It applies to all of us today.? Here it is:

“Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most. ?That people are basically good; that honor, courage, and virtue mean everything; that power and money, money and power mean nothing; ?that good always triumphs over evil; and I want you to remember this, that love… true love never dies. ?You remember that, boy. You remember that. ?Doesn’t matter if it’s true or not. You see, a man should believe in those things, because those are the things worth believing in.”

This is great advice for every one of us.? Let’s break it down:

“Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most…”?

In other words, some things must be at least partially taken on faith, such as faith in God, belief in ourselves, and hope for tomorrow.

“That people are basically good…”

There are bad people in this world.? There always will be.? Mostly, they are just wounded with unresolved fears.? To live in peace, community, and safety, we must always believe that at our core, people are good even when their behaviors range from disappointing to horrific.?

“…that honor, courage, and virtue mean everything…”?

We don’t hear the word honor very often anymore.? Do you even know what it means??

Dictionary.com defines honor as “honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions.”?

In the world of the self-centered world where we live today, it’s rare to engage with someone who consistently demonstrates honesty, fairness, and integrity in their beliefs and actions.? Then again, it depends where you spend your time and with whom you associate.

How would you define courage?? We hear the word and think simply about bravery, but it’s much more than that.?

The Cambridge dictionary defines courage as “the ability to control fear and to be willing to deal with something that is dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant.”?

All of us can think of something in our communities, nations, or globally that is wrong, but we’re too busy living our own lives to do anything about it.? A person of honor encourage would at least do something…

And what about virtue?? We probably haven’t heard about virtues since William Bennett’s book titled, The Book of Virtues.? But I’m dating myself.? That was published in 1996, 28 years ago.? Most of you have probably never heard of it.

?What is a virtue versus a value?

Here is my definition:? Values are things that people intellectually consider important, based on their beliefs.? In contrast, virtues are habits that people practice and master. ?Virtues demonstrate what our true values are.?

When Hub talks of virtues, it’s clear that he means good, moral character lived out through our words and actions.

“…that power and money, money and power mean nothing…”?

It’s true.? Money and power can be nice, but relationships are our greatest asset.

“…that good always triumphs over evil…”?

Again, ultimately true.? There are seasons that can extend into hundreds of years where evil is in power.? Yet, courageous good character always returns to protect, provide, and enable people to prosper.

However, this is an ongoing spiritual battle that is played out in our individual lives, families, communities, and nations.? When beaten, evil never gives up.? It only waits for another opportunity to attack.

“… and I want you to remember this, that love… true love never dies...”

Jesus only gave one command:? Love one another as I have loved you.

True love never dies.? It is one of, if not our only most valuable asset.? True, honorable, sacrificial, courageous love is something we all seek.?

“You remember that, boy. You remember that. Doesn’t matter if it’s true or not. You see, a man should believe in those things, because those are the things worth believing in.”?

Hub’s character encourages us to believe in something that’s good and true, even when some of the facts might be missing.?

What do you believe in that meets Hub’s challenge?

One final note…

Another great teaching from Hub was when he encouraged us to die with our boots on.? It meant we live gratefully, courageously, lovingly, and fully to the moment our heart stops.?

Never stop embracing what Hub states above.? We end strong, demonstrating good character as we encourage, protect, and steward our resources for the benefit of future generations.

What is one thing we can do today to live part or all of Hub’s speech above?

Maybe today’s a day we give someone a hand up, instead of a handout… or

We defend someone who cannot defend themselves… or

We gain wisdom… or

We live gratefully in the present, embracing our blessings for the moments we can.

Be blessed, my friends!? It’s a new day!? Let’s rejoice and be glad in it… before it’s gone.? :)