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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.
I saw that quote on facebook, and I immediately shared it, because I think it is such an important thing to remember!
Something good is that my boys (5yo twins) were helping their brothers by picking up their dirty clothes and making their beds for them. And this was done without my asking them to! It made me smile so big!!!
There was another story similar to this. It is truly amazing. Matthew West wrote a song about this story called “Forgiveness” Check it out, it will bless you so much!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz3tkHv5sbg
I was just babysitting some kids (aged 1 & 3) and they spent a solid 5 minutes filling up a teacup with “apple juice” from the play kitchen and bringing me something to drink and then getting me refill after refill. I thought it was so sweet that they wanted to do something nice for me during their playtime ๐
My 5th graders get to go outside for recess today, after three days of inside days. That’s good for me!! ๐
I’ve been wanting to read this book.
I am lucky enough to work with 23 adorable little children who are ready to take on the good and bad of life. They are so caring and kind to each other. I am one lucky person!
This sounds like a great book to read right now.
I’m making your Taco soup for my family for dinner tonight. Keeping my fingers crossed that at least one of my children likes it!
I just want to tell you about the staff at a local hospital – their floor is called Senior Care and they deal with alzheimer’s and dementia patients on a daily basis. They treat their patients with respect and dignity. My mother has been a frequent patient there and as difficult as this disease is making her personality – she is loved by the staff. I couldn’t ask for better “helpers” in this journey we are currently taking. My thoughts and prayers also go out to the people affected by the bombing in Boston and I thank God that there were medical staff available at the scene helping the many victims.
The other night a lady at our church told me (and others) how much she appreciates my son. When they first came to our church, their older son was real shy. They could not get him to go to youth group. My son would simply invite him to the group, and then walked away. He didn’t give the boy a chance to come back with an excuse. After awhile, the boy said, “Yes”. He was very active in the youth until he left to go to college. I was so proud of our boy.
We had recently moved to the area, and had not been in this church very long when this happned.
Jennie
I have been the recipient of so much service. I was widowed when my baby was only 10 weeks old. Friends, family, and complete strangers wrapped their arms around me, comforted me, brought in meals, took care of my lawn, and the list goes on and on. I hope to someday be able to pay it forward to others when they are in need. This book looks wonderful!
My best friends came in and kept my home cleaned and ready for showing (we were trying to sell) and they kept my kids clean and fed when I was laid up in bed for 2 weeks with back problems. They saved me!