Category: compassion

Was Mr. Rogers a hero?

Was Mr. Rogers a hero?

I’m sure there are many differing opinions about Mr. Rogers and the recent movie about his life played by Tom Hanks, however, I believe he was much more than a hero.

I grew up watching Mr. Rogers Neighborhood as a child and appreciate the way he helped children understand their feelings and the world around them. As an adult, I recall these things that made him different from everyone else:

  • He had a soft spoken voice that was welcoming.
  • He taught us manners and common courtesies.
  • When he took off his shoes and changed his coat it meant that he was purposefully putting away everything pertaining to the outside world and entering another world–his home.
  • He was focused on you (the audience) and sharing something from his heart.
  • He welcomed people who were different from him and tried to understand their culture, their childhood growing up and more importantly, where they were at that moment in time.
  • He taught children how to deal with their emotions, family issues and life in general.
  • He taught us that we were/are good, lovable, and should extend kindness to others.

In the movie, it showed how Mr. Rogers very lovingly, thoughtfully and methodically saw through the tough exteriors of people to get to the root of the issue. I guess you could say in modern terms that he psycho analyzed everyone. There was no screaming, bad or terse words to get our attention, it was the polar opposite. Mr. Rogers taught us why it was important to give someone you are speaking to your “full attention” when speaking on the phone or in person because they were/are important. How I wish for those times today! Don’t you?

At the end of the movie I saw men, women, boomers and millenials crying as the lights came up. It touched them and reminded them of a better time in their life and the world. As for me, I left the movie theatre feeling calm and peaceful. I even slept better that night than I had in a number of days.

In retrospect, I believe America needs another Mr. Rogers for our children and grandchildren to experience. My hope is that the boomers who grew up with Mr. Rogers will take the lessons we’ve been taught through the show and in life and continually pass it on to the next generation. Our world and the people in it are broken and in need of restoration both spiritually and physically.

Compassion and God’s Grace Seen Today!

The power of God’s grace and compassion for people was seen today at the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Pinellas Park, Florida.

A couple entered the store and went to the men’s section where they began looking for black pants.  The husband and wife had been unemployed for three months and Publix offered the husband a job.  The couple was elated but quickly realized that he did not have the appropriate clothing needed for the job and that is how they ended up at the Salvation Army Thrift Store.

The husband entered the dressing room to try on pants while the wife waited nearby.  The Store Manager had passed by her several times before she worked up the courage to speak with him about their situation.  She said that they cannot afford to buy anything new.  In fact, it would even be a stretch to purchase the items needed at thrift store prices so she asked if he could help.  He asked, “Why type of help are you looking for?”  She responded, “Could you authorize 50% off of our purchases?”  He paused for a moment and said, “Yes, because we truly want to help people.”  Then the Store Manager called over the Assistant Store Manager and said she may even give you a better deal and explained the couple’s situation.  The Assistant Manager reviewed the couple’s purchases and offered to give three pairs of pants for free and 50% off the remaining two items in the shopping cart (a pair of shoes and one more pair of pants).  The couple was elated and thanked both managers repeatedly.

When the couple arrived at the cashier station, they told the cashier what the Assistant Manager said and the cashier promptly rang up the two items and bagged the other pants without hesitation.  As a matter of fact, the cashier offered words of encouragement along with his congratulations on the husband’s new job.   To hear this was truly amazing!  The couple then gathered their purchases while almost in tears as they walked towards the doors thanking God for his grace and for the compassionate staff who helped them.

Once outside, the husband turned to the wife and said, “You see how much God loves us!”  The wife agreed and thanked Jesus and they walked to the car.

In this day and age of little kindness and compassion shown for our fellow man, it was refreshing to see God refresh this couple’s faith through the compassion and kindness of the Salvation Army Thrift Store Manager, Assistant Manager and Cashier!

May God bless all those involved!