Mr. Rogers Wins My Heart Again

Call my life exciting if you wish, but the latest book I'm reading is "The Simple Faith of Mr. Rogers : Spiritual Insights from the World's Most Beloved Neighbor" by Amy Hollingsworth. If you keep all of my old posts on your refrigerator, you would know I have posted about the late and wonderful Fred Rogers in the past. He ranks high on the list of my all time favorite people, though I never had the pleasure of meeting him. The author did, however, which is what inspired her book. The reason I tease about it being exciting is because Mr. Rogers has been ridiculed so much for his calm and gentle, reassuring manner. For his shoe change and cardigans. Tease all you want. I love the man! More importantly, I loved what he stood for, both as a child and now as a grown woman.

I've had what some people would call "a-ha" moments while reading this book. I knew he was a minister, but I had no idea that he prayed before stepping foot on his set each day. I had no idea that he was so full of the Holy Spirit that the people watching often wrote him to tell him how dramatically he had affected their lives. I had no idea that the man I saw on TV each day was in fact being himself. His honest self. He really did care about the children he spoke to each day. And as a child, I felt that care, though he was in a box in my living room. I spent a lot of time home sick as a kid, and I always resented that. I look back now and I'm grateful for being able to count on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood for comfort and love. Cookie Monster didn't hurt either!

One of my "a-ha" moments in the book was the chapter entitled, "The wondrous work of the Holy Spirit", in which he describes an experience in a church he was visiting. He was still in seminary at the time, and anxious to hear a certain preacher. When he arrived there, he found that the preacher was away and a substitute was in his place. He was disappointed, but took his seat with some friends. He was not pleased with the sermon, keeping track of all the mistakes the preacher was making, and couldn't wait for it to be over. When it ended, he turned to his friend to commiserate, and tears were streaming down her face. "He said exactly what I needed to hear", she whispered. When he started to think about just how different their reactions were, he realized his judgmental mistake. His friend had come in need, and he had come in judgment. Because of her need, the Holy Spirit was able to translate those poorly constructed words into exactly what that young lady needed at that time. That experience changed Fred's entire life. Can you imagine just one incident that would change the course of your life?

I am still amazed that a little children's show with puppets and a trolley could somehow transform lives. Not just little kids, but adults. What other show can compare today? None. Mr. Rogers received so many letters of witnessing and testimony over the years. He was blessed by them all. I wish he was around to hear mine too. I wish I could tell him that I am honored to carry his last name! That my blog title was inspired by him. And I continue to aspire to be kind, gentle, quiet and "take my time" because I see the kind of rewards it brings. I would tell him I remember him meeting some kind of primate and the long slow interaction he allowed to take place for the sake of his audience. The primate wanted to see Fred's feet so Fred allowed it to remove his shoes and socks. It was amazing to me. Fred just sat there quietly, in the presence of this massive animal, seeking to connect with it, allowing it to check out his feet!

Now you know the real me. The Mr. Rogers Neighborhood -loving 43 year old mom. I am better for having watched his show and now I am truly being blessed by this book too!