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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.
Oh How I loved your post today ! As I wipe the tears from my eyes, and think about a RS lesson I’m preparing for on Sunday, about character–I am reminded about the many invisible as well as visible ‘angels’ that are around us. A friend, whose husband has Alzheimers, saw a young woman with a mini van full of kids and a shopping cart full of groceries in the parking lot. He insisted his wife turn his car around so he could jump out and help her unload the cart. At first, she was somewhat surprised, but then, so grateful for this unexpected stranger helping her unload and then take a moment to sing a little song to the children as she took the cart back. Smiles all around!
I’ve not read the book but I have heard of Chris Williams’ story. I’d seen the Mr. Rogers quote before too. But today it makes me think. It makes me wonder. In the face of tragedy, would I be a helper? Could I forgive? I think we must practice by helping in small ways and forgiving small transgressions each day. In that way, when the very hard to forgive situation or the big opportunity to help comes along we will know what to do. It will be second nature and a part of who we are. So today I will focus on forgiving the guy who cuts me off in traffic and helping the stranger in the grocery line or whatever opportunity God puts in my path. Then I will do it again tomorrow.
I love that even in the wake of something so horrible that there are news stories all over the place of people helping those in Boston without even thinking twice. It’s comforting to know that there are good people in the world!
Hello Jamie, I am thankful my nephew made it through the sandy hook
Tragedy. He was right across the hall…..we thank God every day for his safe return, and keep the unfortunate families in our hearts and prayers. The let it go book is an inspiration to us all. This man is very special.
My 6 year old little girl told my husband and I that for her birthday she wanted everyone to bring a gift not for her but for us to gather and take the the childrens hospital for the families and kids that don’t get to go home every night.
A few months ago I had someone pay it forward to me – I was stepping out of my car when this guy called out to me and started to walk over. At first I was a little weary, but as he got close he handed me something and said “have a nice day”. When I looked down he had handed me a Hess gift card for $10, with a pay it forward note inside. I have to admit, I have yet to pay it forward and I NEED TO!!! But it really, truly made my day! ๐
I also heard from my friend, who lives in Boston, that she stopped at a Starbucks yesterday on her way to work. A woman from Sandy Hook had called and paid for $100 worth of coffee for the first customers to arrive. She said that when the tragedy happened in her town, someone was nice enough to do the same thing there, and she wanted to reach out to Boston in it’s time of tragedy – there are truly some remarkably kind people in this world!
Miracles do happen in the face of tragedy. We will see them if we open our eyes to Christ.
last week, in a phone conversation with my 24 year old daughter, she said how in the future when she has her first child, she wants me to come be with her for 1-2 months (we live on opposite sides of the country)…that filled my heart. i plan on
“being” there whenever my daughters have their babies, but i had been thinking how can i help and not be an intrusion…and here she was saying she wants me RIGHTTHERE for a long time. and how she wished we lived closer because she wants me being grandma close. that made me feel like i’ve done a few things right as her momma. that’s about the biggest kindness my daughter can give me.
I follow your blog because I cook lunch everyday for a small software company and I am constantly using your recipes! One of the guys here had won a gift card for picking the winner of the Master’s Golf tournament – – and he bought ME lunch at Whole Foods! In 4 1/2 years of cooking lunch that’s the first time someone got lunch for me … it was so sweet it made my day! I love your blog and your post today was just what so many needed this week … thank you!
While my husband was in the hospital with a ruptured appendix the man in the bed next to him was in awful pain from kidney stones. Doing testing on him they found out he had cancer. He had not been able to work for being in and out of the hospital several times and they were going to shut off his familys electricty if the bill was not paid by the end of the day. Without a second thought my husband had me write a check to the utility company for him. The man said you can’t do that, you don’t even know me. We told him to pay it forward when he could. The man was in tears. What a blessing to be able to help that family.