Someone that my children use to watch on television was “Mister Rogers neighborhood” featuring Fred Rogers (1928-2003).
This was a man that taught our children what the meaning of being thankful for all that we have. He not only taught us to be appreciative of the people around us, but he also taught us that God is in control and we should be very appreciative of the time we have on earth and the people that He placed around us. Even though he was a Presbyterian Minister, he always said he could be a better witness through his actions instead of a sermon.
His gracious spirit resonated to my young children as he did to thousands and thousands of other youngsters watching his program. He taughtmanners,morals,andmostof all character. According to Wikipedia, his program focused on children’s emotional and physical concerns such as death, sibling rivalry, school enrollment, and divorce.
As I watched a video of his lifetime achievement award, he gave tribute to the ones that helped him along the way. He asked the audience to take a time of silence and remember those that helped them to make their way in life. He remembered his family, friends, and his co-workers for their encouragement and allowing him all the years to be your neighbor.
All of us, whether we are adolescents, teenagers, younger adults, or, as me in the older generation, can learn from this fine man of integrity. All of us need to look into our lives and ask ourselves “Are we doing what we can to lead our children into the future with an attitude of gratitude. Will we help them become responsible adults and leaders of the future? Will we teach them to be thankful for what they have and not worry about what they do not have. Will they learn from us to accept others as they are?
We need to remember what the Apostle Paul told the Philippians in 2:14-15, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among who you shine as lights in the world…” All of us need to live our lives in a way that our young will want to imitate. We need to teach by example how Christians should act and treat our fellowman. Even though there will be times of defeat and destruction, how we react will be the strongest message and attitude that we can pass on to those around us and especially to the younger generation that are watching our every move. Do we possess an attitude of gratitude in all that we do or have? Even in the harshest situations of our life, we need to learn from them and move on to more productive adventures. Learn from defeat and cherish our victories! Teach our children to do the same.
Just as my children did, I learned from “Mister Rogers Neighborhood”. It was a clean and informative television show that taught values of human life. We need another Mister Rogers today that can help us fight against the evils of the world we are facing today. I believe that Fred Rogers himself would tell anyone that he was just an instrument for the Lord Jesus Christ and that everyone should go to their knees, confess their sins, and ask Jesus to come into their heart. If this would happen then this sinful world would become a better place.
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for the example Fred Rogers gave his audience through his program. I pray that I can be an instrument for you and teach our children also. Amen.
