Recently, we have begun to watch the
Cowboy Channel on cable TV. We found that the channel is now running
the old Roy Rogers show, followed by The Lone Ranger between 9pm and
10pm most weeknights. Of course, growing up when those shows were on
TV, we can relate to them and appreciate being able to watch them
again.
Yes, by today's standards, the shows
are rather hokey. The good guys always win. There is always some
kind of morality lesson. The heroes are able to do near super-human
feats (such as shooting a gun out of someone's hand from 20 paces).
People seldom are killed. Women are treated with respect. The
scenery seems to be the same from show to show. Stock footage is
extensively used.
Here's the deal. I like those shows.
I like seeing the good guy win. I like seeing women treated with
respect. I like the morality lessons. I like those things...I like
to see them...I like to know that others are seeing them. And I am
not the least bit hesitant to say so.
Yes, I know that real life isn't always
like that. I know that the bad guys win sometimes in real life. I
know that women (and kids) are treated badly in real life.. I know
that people are senselessly killed. As the benevolence minister at a
downtown church, I see these things. I try to help mitigate these
things. I rub shoulders with those of God's children who are
affected by the things that are not moral...not right...not rosy.
And maybe that's why, for a short time
in the later evening, I like to see something positive. I like to
see something uplifting. I like to see right prevail. Because it
seems to happen so seldom in my real life, maybe that's why I like to
revert back to my childhood and cheer when Tonto and The Lone Ranger
catch the bad guys. I do a fist pump when Roy and Dale make
everything right again.
To carry that farther, I also think of
the modern-day Lone Rangers...the modern-day Roy and Dale combos. I
think of the Homeless Outreach Team of the Wichita Police Department.
I think of Jennifer White and all who work at the Child Advocacy
Center. I think of those who contribute treasure to the cause. I
think of various public servants, volunteers, workers, and all I know
who work to make their corner of the world a better place for their
having been there.
So, laugh all you want at Clayton
Moore, Jay Silverheels, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, and others who years
ago in the early day of television did their best to teach morality
and goodness to a generation of kids through a western show. ROTFL
as much as you like when you think of these shows and these people.
But I dare you to do the same when you think of the people who work
the Exploited and Missing Children's Unit, the Internet Crimes
Against Children unit, school resource officers, school
psychologists, those who rescue children from sex slavery, those who
feed the hungry, those who organize and coordinate various recovery,
grief, and help groups, those who teach our children, and those who
are on the front lines...running toward an emergency rather than
running away. Go on. I dare you.
The Lone Ranger lives. He lives in the
hearts of all who care...of all who do...of all who are on the front
lines of right and good and honor.
