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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.
After 23 years for some parts of our home, and 43 years for other parts of our home, we are finally getting a remodel done. New tile, new carpet, whole new kitchen and bathroom, new lighting, and new paint. My good thing to share is all about the wonderful people who are helping in this major project. We have many friends, church friends, and friends-of-friends helping make this transformation possible. We couldn’t do a thing without the wonderful gift of truly good, talented friends and others who are making our home beautiful. A big thank you to “GOOD” people who are truly helpers in this world!
I have been having knee problems, and am having surgery next week. After I come home from 10 hours at work, I am wiped out. Last night, my 13 year old son, who is taking a cooking class at school, came home after an early morning of jazz band, then school, and made meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn for our supper. That is one of the nicest things done for me in a long while…
God is good all the time. All the time God is good.
We brought home our new baby girl this week. When my older son was looking at her, he said, “It almost makes me do happy tears!” The love in my home saves me when I see scary things happen in the world.
I love surprising people by paying it forward. It makes that person as well as yourself feel so good. I especially love doing good things for our military. I love that #51 Elizabeth wrote she and her husband helped the man in the hospital by paying his utility bill. I’m sure that helped to have less stress.
When my husband passed away suddenly, many people from our church pitched in with meals, babysitting kids, etc. perhaps what was most touching was a woman I didn’t even know came and did my laundry every week. It was hard to relinquish my laundry to a stranger, but her act of kindness remains with me to this day.
I teach first grade.
As in all classrooms, some children are excellent students.
Some are not.
One day, not too long ago, (After some lengthy, but gentle guidance by me) one of my struggling students gave a rare correct answer.
Without hesitation, the rest of the class burst out into a most genuine and heart-felt applause and congratulations. At first I could see that the student was a bit embarrassed by all the hoopla, but gradually I could see a shy little smile emerge.
Today, there is hardly a day that goes by that someone in our class doesn’t give an encouraging word or a helping hand to that student. The student now participates more in class discussions and as an added bonus, the student’s grades are slowly improving!
I am so proud of these caring young girls and boys and am so very honored to be their teacher.
I grew up with my father telling me that if you’re having a bad day then you haven’t served anyone. It can be the smallest act of service – taking out the neighbors garbage can, when they forgot about garbage day… shoveling someone’s driveway, waving at the new person on the street, saying thank you, paying for the person behind you at the drive thru, writing a quick note to someone… I know that my day is a lot better when I have done my best to serve another… I tell my kids every morning to try to do some good in the world & when they are able to do something – they are so excited about how good they feel.
My son in law is in the Air Force, and he has been in Korea since September, and he will get home the end of August, but my daughter has 3 cute kids that she has been doing everything for, and it has been my pleasure and blessing that she decided to live near us for the year and our family has been able to help and support her with her very important yet sometimes difficult job.
‘Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.’ – Anne Frank