Sam’s thoughts

The differences and similarities are numerous between these two fictitious folk heroes. Both are champion warriors who always win their fights a la Hollywood. There the similarities end. Rambo ages and changes enemies. Early on he fights in Viet Nam, now he goes after terrorists some 30 years later. For the Lone Ranger, he never ages his enemies never change. He is fighting either outlaws or Indians on the warpath. The Lone Ranger was the hero of the Builder generation…Rambo is now the hero of the Me Generation that has tried to be an Army of One. Rambo is a loner and the Lone Ranger always needed Tonto.

For many, today, the idea of having a Tonto is foreign…both for the Lone Ranger and for the one desiring to be a Tonto. We are fast loosing the art of knowing how to build deep lasting relationships that will fight and last to the death. We have never been taught how to build those relationships…they are awkward. The WW2 generation understood being in the foxhole together. Most of us don’t understand and have never been in a life or death foxhole. Much less totally dependent on another to “have our back”. Yet in every social setting we all need Tonto’s, whether it be at work, play, church, family, marriage, relationships…we find better success when have a Tonto. What father or mother doesn’t want his spouse to be his Tonto when he has to confront a rebellious son or daughter? What spouse doesn’t want their counterpart to be Tonto when getting crossways with in-laws? What executive doesn’t want his colleagues to have his back when dealing with tension in the Board of Trustees meetings? When the Boss is uptight, is it not good to know who your Tonto’s are?

Humor: There is an old story about the Lone Ranger and Tonto when they were being attacked and surrounded by an Indian war party. They are pinned down with arrows and bullets coming from all sides. The Lone Ranger looks over at Tonto and yells, “what are we going to do with all of these Indians?” Tonto replies, “What do you mean WE paleface?”

All of us need a loyal Tonto. Who are your Tonto’s and will they really have your back during the battle? Will you be a good Tonto and have their back?

Lord, Help me to not be so prideful as to reject those who want to be my Tonto. Help me humble myself and acknowledge my need for a Tonto. At the same time, teach me how to be a faithful and loyal Tonto through thick and thin. May I have the joy of having at least one relationship in my lifetime like the Lone Ranger and Tonto where there is an unspoken understanding that we are in it “to the death”.–Amen