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I saw this picture yesterday on Facebook and thought it beautifully simple and profound. What Mr. Rogers has to say is plain truth. Amid tragedy, and terrible circumstances there are always good, kind people there to pick up the pieces…lending a helping hand and providing a stable shoulder to cry on. It is amazing to watch, isn’t it? There are definitely still so many “helpers”.
In light of the Boston Marathon Bombing, I felt it best to save the recipe I had prepared for today’s post and share a little something else instead.
This is a book I read last week.
“Let It Go” is about a man (Chris Williams) who lives here in my city. Seven years ago his pregnant wife and two children were killed in a car accident by a drunk teenage driver. From the very night of the accident he chose to forgive the boy who was responsible for taking the life of his family members. I have been fascinated by this story from the time I heard reports of it here in the local news. How could any human being have the strength to forgive so quickly, and freely! It was a surprise to me, as I would imagine it to be to most people.
In the book Chris gives detailed explanation. He testifies of Christ and the blessings of forgiveness. While his road has not been easy, his choice to forgive has made the challenges of loss much easier to bear. Instead of embracing anger, hate or revenge he let go of those natural feelings and has taken hold of love, kindness…forgiveness.
I mention (and recommend) this book to you all today simply because, the world can be such a terrible place. There are plenty of reasons to be angry. Seeing innocent people become victim to senseless terrorism is so frustrating! Most of us shake our heads with the words “why” rolling over and over in our minds. I haven’t ever been able to come up with a sufficient answer to that question. Have you? I don’t know why these things happen. What I do know is, I want to be one of the “helpers”. I want to choose love and kindness. I hope to follow Chris Williams example of charity.
You can watch a video on the Mormon Channel called “My Burden Was Made Light” about Chris and his family. Click here, or on the picture above to see it.
I would love to give a copy of “Let It Go” to two of you dear readers. To enter just leave me a comment below telling me something good! It can be an act of kindness you have witnessed. It can be something sweet your child did or said. It can be something good you would like to do for someone else. What ever you choose. ๐ The giveaway will be open through Sunday night (April 21st). Winner will be announced Monday morning (April 22).
My family and I are praying for those of you effected by the terrible Boston Marathon Bombing. May you feel the love of God supporting you during this difficult time.
First – thank you, Jamie, not only for being “one of the helpers” by encouraging positivity in our crazy world, but also for sharing your talent of creating delicious food that my family LOVES. My Handsome and kiddos gobble up your recipes on a regular basis.
Second – I would love to read Chris’s book. I have heard his story several times and I look to him as someone I want to be like when I grow up. I kind of envy him in a way; I myself am on a seemingly endless journey with someone who keeps creating new opportunities for me to learn how to forgive and I long for the peace that Chris seems to have arrived at. Someday, it will be mine too.
Third – I have found on my journey that my burden is always lighter when I look for ways that I can help someone else. It is not hard to find someone who has it harder than you if you just look around, and it can be something small and simple that makes a difference for someone else. I work as a nurse and recently, I was reminded of that fact when one of my patients thanked me for smiling and having a positive attitude when I greeted her. She told me I was the first person who had shown kindness to her that day (sadly, it was 2 in the afternoon and she had been to several other appointments already!)
I would love a copy of this book. I showed the video to my YW class. It is so special. It really brought tears to my eyes. I always try to put myself in others situation and ask “how would I have acted?” I don’t know if I could do what he did. He is truly and inspiration.
Just this weekend one of my daughters classmates was killed in a farm accident. I know that doesn’t sound like something good, but we come from a very small community and so everyone knew this boy. To watch the way this community and especially the students in his class have pulled together to help each other has been amazing. Kids are amazing at the way they love each other and want to take care of each other. We as adults should act more like them.
I got a hug from a coworker this morning. It made my day.
This was the perfect post for today. It really lightened my mood.
Something that is changing me right now is preparing to go on a short term missions trip to Haiti in a week. What has shocked me is how many people are helping by donating supplies. It is overwhelming the kindness and generosity they show! This is the good thing ๐ that is going on in the midst of the tragedy of the Boston Marathon Bombing….. :'(
Since my kids were a young age, whenever we passed an accident, police car, fire truck, etc, they were taught to offer a quick prayer of assistance “God help them, Amen”. Now as they are in their teenage years it’s comforting to me as a mom to still hear them speak those words automatically, knowing their hearts are being shared with those in need.
I’m so thankful no matter what life brings us, we have a loving Heavenly Father we can take all our cares an concerns to! Such a comfort! An if we are faithful to HIM, we have the hope of Heaven with Jesus. No pain, no tears, no sin an sadness. Let’s all be faithful so we can experience that together some day!
Hearing about tragedy reminds you not to “sweat the small stuff”…to hold family close and to spend quality time with them. As my mom always says “some good comes from everything”. I would love to read this to be able to “let go” – given my current situation with gaining custody of my step daughter has been a challenge since day one and I know there are areas that I need to work on and “let go”….
What a beautiful and inspiring post!
I witnessed just last month my father making a beautiful handmade casket out of wood for his unborn great granddaughter. My mother lined it with the most beautiful white fabric and lace. I am always in awe of the things my parents do for their posterity. Even if it is such a hard and heart breaking thing. My niece and her husband had their little girl just a couple of weeks ago. And they LOVED the gift of time and love given to this precious little sweet still- born one. I want to always try and be like my mom and dad.