Happy Wednesday, church family!

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping’.

~Fred Rogers

In this week’s sermon, when Pastor Andy talked about focusing on Jesus instead of the evil in this world, I thought about Mr. Rogers’ words. But even if there’s helpers, there’s still bad stuff, right? Well, yes, but looking for the good shifts my mindset from panic, fear or anger, to calm. It’s kind of a reset button to step back and look at the situation from a different perspective. It’s so easy with all the bleh going on in the world, far from, and close to home, to get my panties in a bunch over everything. But that’s not all that’s going on. Like Mr. Rogers said, there are helpers, and the weight of what they are doing has so much more density and power than the yuck that started it all. 

Let’s take Sunday, for example. Debbie and I were up front doing announcements. My words flubbed more than usual, and the perfectionist in me froze. But honestly, I had a moment where I looked out at all of your faces, the smiles, and that’s when I saw the “helpers”. I realized I didn’t have to be perfect, so we laughed, turned around, and started fresh (still with flubs, but oh well). You did that, my friends. In that moment, you were Jesus to me, reminding me that you love me, even when I don’t know what day of the week or even month we’re in. I love you guys.

Jesus, thank You for the reminder to look for the good and the helpers, and for the change in perspective to focus on You instead of the evil around us. Thank You for my friends, my church family, for reminding me of this when I need it. I fix my eyes on You, Jesus. Bless and seal these good things, in Your name, amen.

May your week be blessed,

Lisa