Mea Culpa Mr. Rogers

I remember reading about Fred Rogers a year or two ago.  I remember thinking, “He sounds like a pretty amazing guy but, well he just sounds a little too good to be true.”

I remember the Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood television show and I remember taking pot-shots at this guy when in high school.  Everything was nerdy; the sweater, the tennis shoes, the glasses and even the way he talked.  I wasn’t alone in the game of ridicule – we all thought the whole thing was a “hokey kids show” (quote from A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood – just released with Tom Hanks playing Fred Rogers)

Acts That Touched Others

At one time or another, we all come across people who do something incredible.

• It’s not something that garners attention from news media.  
• It’s not something that anyone makes a lot of noise about.  
• It’s not something that seems to attract any attention at all. 

At one time or another, we all come across situations handled amazingly well.

• It IS something that resonates with someone – maybe you.
• It IS something that can change someone’s life.
• It IS something that recognizes the worth God sees in all of us.  
• It IS something that was done because it was right and good.
• It IS something that was done quietly, without fanfare, for the good of someone else for no reason other than - it was for the good of someone else.

At one time or another, we might not notice, but we can change that. We can open our eyes to see.

Deliberate Choice

When watching television, I tend to like programming when it touches our humanity. It can happen with any type of show but lately, I’ve been intrigued with Bluff City Law.  They seem to capture today’s interesting topics forcing me to consider my feelings about some of the characters and dialogue written for them - especially in light of our culture today.

This past week, I watched the Episode called “Need to Know” (Season 1, Number 8). This particular installment reminded me that in the midst of any conflict, we are to love others as Jesus loves us.  We are to make that choice no matter the emotion.

The text below is from Springfield! Springfield!  The unfortunate aspect of using something like this discounts the emotion provided by these two spectacular actors.  Before the last 4 words of this scene, Della is considering her response.  It takes a moment or two and there is a long pause before the very last word.  I hope I can pause when it's required.  I hope I can pull this choice from my heart as well.

The Scene

Wired for Connection

My office neighbors share space and that seems to work well for them.  They collaborate, they solve problems and I can hear them having a good time in the midst of an extraordinary work-load.

I am called to consult with them several times a day and, admitting that it drives me crazy, this is what I see.  The neighbors don’t seem to mind.  They are working away looking at monitors and keyboards with no need to look at the floor.

Be Still

Or, perhaps a better title would be Fog 2.

It’s getting colder out there as one season becomes the next.

The other day, I left for work at the same time as usual but ran into a problem.  Typically, I shower and dress leaving the house almost immediately afterward.  This particular day was no different.

I backed out of the parking space, put the car in drive and begin moving forward.  I traveled about a block and had to pull to the side of the street and stop.  The car was cold - no heat and no defrost either.

Since I recently showered, I had brought a bit of humidity with me when I entered the car.  This caused the windshield to fog up quickly as this warm moisture found its way to the cold glass.  I had to pull over and wait before proceeding.  If I had continued, the consequences would have been disastrous for me and for others sharing the road with me.