There is a true story about a German man who lived during the Third Reich. He was a heavy drinker and gambler. Although he was married, he had a string of mistresses on the side. This man was a business man. He followed the Nazis into Poland and made living dealing in the by cozying up to the SS and by illegal dealings.

After the war, this man fled to Argentina, but eventually abandoned is wife thee (as well as his mistress) and returned to Europe.

What do you think of this man? Do you know who he is? I guarantee you will recognize his name.

Oskar Schindler.

Yes, Oskar Schindler of Schindler’s list. He kept 1000 Jewish people working in his factory, insisting that the Nazi’s could not have them, that he NEEDED them for his factory. In truth, he did not. He simply wanted to protect them from the horrors of the concentration camps. He spent his fortune saving these people.

Someone revealed to me his dual nature, the fact that he drank and cheated and made money illegally. She did not understand him. She said she didn’t know if he was good or bad.

I responded that he was both. Like all of us, he had the capacity for both good and evil. Each of us has the potential to be either a hero or a villain, and the truth is, during our lifetime will will most likely do a little of both.

I don’t believe anyone is completely good or evil. It took me a long time to realize that. Cartoons and TV programs when I was growing up showed “good guys” and “bad guys”. I found those that didn’t keep the lines so neatly drawn to be confusing, and I didn’t watch them. Eventually I came to understand that the truth is not so cut and dried.

So, hero? Or villain?

Keeping promises, doing what you say you will do, being honorable are important. I promised my 13 year old son I’d watch a Harry Potter movie with him. The movie was on TV and started at 7:00. It was over at 10:00, by which time my son had been asleep for an hour.

So I could have gotten up at 9:00. He would not have been the wiser. And I had seen the movie several times before. What would be the harm? The harm would be an unfulfilled promise. My word broken. My honor eroded.

This is what I believe and try to give to those around me. It is my intention to give my best to my family and my friends. And especially to my Master. I want my Master to know I am person of integrity, not just him, but for everyone. After all, if I would tell half truths (i.e., lie) to my own child, surely I would lie to him as well. Being a person of integrity is something worthwhile.

May all that I do be honorable in you sight, Master.

I love my Master. I adore him. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say I worship him. I wish to serve him in whatever way makes him happy. Service to him gives me purpose, lends meaning to my life. Through him, I am all that I can be.

He may not be the creator of the universe, but in a very real way he is the creator of me. I have been provided with my very on deity here on earth. A Master to treasure. I have indeed been blessed.

Have you ever sat out in the sunshine, enjoyed the warmth on your skin? Have you ever soaked in the radiance from the earth’s closest star? It leaves you with a special, indescribable feeling, warming you through and through. The feeling of well-being, of the perfectness of the world is yours.

I have my own bright star here on earth. I bask in my Master’s glow. His presence fills me with a warmth and light to rival the sun’s, and I know my rightful place on this earth. It is at Master’s feet.

As I was walking out the door, I heard footsteps, or more accurately pawsteps, behind me. I was being followed by one of my dogs.

“What do you want, Bo?” I stopped to pet him and to think about what he was doing. I don’t think he wanted anything but to be with me, see what I was up to, and to share time with me.

I was struck with the thought that I am very much like my dog. My Master is the desire of my heart.