Foundlings

No.5
/////// An IronMen Moment //////
Articles for those IronMen in your family. Feel free to pass these along!
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Today's topic: Foundlings.

Many are familiar with the Star Wars spin-off called The Mandalorian, a character developed by John Favareau (the series is entering its 3rd season). At first sight, the Mandalorian appears to be merely a bounty-hunter, on a constant pay-per-body search for those who have run afoul of the law.

But something happens inside of him when he encounters a child who is being hunted, traded for money, and used for "science" experiments. He breaks the social code of local bounty-hunting agencies; instead, he rescues the child. That child, a mini-Yoda like creature, has since become a fan favorite, known as Gro-Gu.

The impact on the audience has exalted the common efforts of a powerful hunter to near cult status because he risks his own safety to save a lost child. A "foundling," as the Mandalorian creed calls them.

The social IRONY has been that this storyline became one of the most popular in the entertainment world in the middle of a climate where United States Senate representatives advocated the extinguishing of young lives before they draw their first breath. A few of them are even known to want to kill newborn children after they exit the womb.

My point is that something deeper is at work in this society -- even among those leaders lacking the moral courage to stand up for the unborn -- that KNOWS...that a child is worth saving.

Life is inherently valuable. And why? Because God *gave* that life. God created every human *to live,* have the *right to live,* and be cared for and protected by those who will do so. That right to life does not come from a Constitution. It came from the Bible and ended up in the US Constitution -- a document so well-constructed that nations around the globe have used it as a model for their own for over 240 years.

Here's another take-away from this entertainment icon:
we are ALL foundlings.
Meaning, we were *all* lost...
*all* do deeply in-debt with the Judge that our only recourse was to die.
Condemned.

Yet, here are two of the most exciting words in all of Scripture: "But God."

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
(Romans 5:8 niv)

"But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us..."
(2 Corinthians 7:6 niv)

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."
(1 Corinthians 1:27 niv)

Life is SO valuable that the Father was willing to see His only Son take the penalty that was due to us!

Here's a final take-away, especially for us dads:
Favareau wrote the script that the foundling-saving Mandalorian was a foundling himself. When the Mandalorian saw the little green child being taken by the government, and for experimentation, he decided on a higher value, a higher calling...much like Moses' mother did when she refused the state order to kill Moses because he was a boy.

IronMen is an opportunity to put on the "robes" of Mando, as it were, and care for the foundlings. It's what we do. It is the way. Caring for foundlings is more than a film script metaphor. That has been the role of fathers for hundreds of centuries.

"We love because he first loved us."
I John 4:19 niv.

In the fictional story itself there is historical evidence of generational caring. Jango Fett, a generation earlier, was also a foundling. Consider the "Jango Fetts" who have had an impact on your life. Or, on your father's life, whose dedication to caring for the young may be the reason why you are reading this now.

I lost my father when I was 13. But God managed to put in my life nearly a dozen other men...some of whom were "Madalorians."

By His grace, I ended up learning from even the negative cases. Just like we do from the long list of bad kings in the track-record of Israeli monarchs.

So, we end this IronMen article with this question:

What heritage of a "Mandalore" do you want to leave with the next generation?

Food for thought.

Brought to you by IronMen.

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