A compassionate girl. A spoiled brat. A faithful guardian. A devastating disease. A determined doctor. 

The makings of a compelling story. And of a hero.

Reflecting on Frozen Fire, a story based on real-life events, I realize that I have a hard time picking out the hero for myself. Is it Betty the dairy maid? Tom the guardian? Edward Jenner the doctor? 

As I said, this story is based on historical people and places. Maybe that’s why picking the hero is hard. Isn’t that how real life is?

People aren’t solitary islands, unaffected by the world beyond. We rub off on each other, change each other’s courses, give each other a hand or push each other back. What each of us does affects the lives of others. No hero becomes a hero alone.

That’s why behind every hero and even in our lives there may be several “ordinary” heroes who have changed life in extraordinary ways. How about the mother who took the time to listen? The teacher who wrote the encouraging note? The dad who taught the inspiring lesson? The doctor who went the extra mile? The friend who prayed and gave hope? The brother who sacrificed? The grandmother who gave a second chance? 

If you listen to or read Frozen Fire, you’ll have to let me know who you think the hero is. Then maybe you can think of who the heroes are in your own life. Why not take time to thank them today if you can?

As some of the closing words of the radio theatre adaption go,

“True heroes of life are not often kings and queens or those of powerful means. The true heroes of the Lord God Most High are those who serve others without regard to themselves.” 

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 Note: Frozen Fire is woven with the story of Dr. Edward Jenner, the British physician who became the Father of Immunology. It’s a great resource for history studies of the late 1700s, for those interested in medicine or simply as a story to be enjoyed. May 14 was a pivotal day in both Frozen Fire and the real life of Dr. Jenner.