One of my Heroes

 Hero - a person noted for special achievement in a particular field; 

a person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose

I want to tell you about one of my heroes.

His name is Gabriel and he just turned 10 years old. 

He is a man after God's own heart.

He loves to read his Bible.

He loves to share his knowledge of God and other facts about the world.

He hears from God.

He is a defender of the weak.

He is wise beyond his years.

He is bold.

He is creative. 

He is an author.

He is my nephew. ;)

  
  Gabriel is destined to do great things. How do I know this? Surely not just because he is my nephew and I am slightly biased. Not so. He is already doing great things so I know that it won't stop as he grows older. He is a dreamer. He has an incredible imagination and he is allowing God to use it NOW. From the young age of 4 or 5 years old Gabriel was already putting pen to paper and writing stories. I am absolutely honored that one of his first stories was The Story of Gabriel and Stefanie. I love this kid. God has placed talent inside of Gabriel and it has been coming out for many years now. We serve a big God. My 10 year-old nephew already knows this. 

Gabe's 10th Birthday Party

   This past Christmas was a memorable time for our whole family. Gabriel finished his book Toy Wars a while back and his mother helped him type the story onto the computer and edit it. There is a special company which actually allows you to create a book just like it would appear from a publishing company with a copyright, author's note and more. Gabe started saving up money to get the book "published" in the future. Little did he know that his Christmas gift would be an actual printed copy of his book. I think it is safe to say that the highlight of our family Christmas was to watch Gabriel open his gift of Toy Wars and to see the joy that he displayed. Pure joy. Dancing. Jumping. Singing.

my crazy. goofy. nephew.

   The thing that I find most incredible about all of this is that this is only the beginning. He has already finished Toy Wars II. He has started another series in which he plans to have over 20 books. He is not even stopping there. Gabriel is walking into the goodness that God has planned for him. He is not limited by his age. He does not believe that God has small plans for him. He is asking God for big things and experiencing BIG results because of this. 

  Gabriel is an example to me of a hero. A man used by God. He already has a special achievement. He has been overcoming many fears this past year and is proving courageous. He has nobility of purpose.  1 Timothy 4:12 speaks of not being held back by age. I believe that of Gabriel. He is an encouragement to me that I have what it takes to do the things God is asking of me. I have been using Gabe as an example to myself and to my friends to not be afraid to ask God for big things. When we limit God we are in turn limiting ourselves.

  This next year ask God what He wants to do in your life. How does He want to stretch you? How does He want to bless you? How does He want to empower you? What is His ultimate BEST for you?

    "Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use." 

1 Timothy 4:11-14

Thank you for taking the time to meet one of my heroes.
To read an even more in depth story of God's work in Gabriel's life this past year click here.