I continue to eat up my book on Mister Rogers. I love that guy. I love him because he loved me. No, I never did meet Mister Rogers and did not know him personally. But for 30 minutes a day, every day, he poured out his heart to me. Every second of his show was a carefully planned expression of care. He was a thin and fragile man and the only thing big about him was the size of his heart. He talked about slowing down in life. He talked about loving your neighbor – regardless of that person’s status or social position. He was so genuine that when he said on his show that he loved me… I really believed him.

Kids don’t really have a great sense of time. When our family drove long distances, I didn’t know how long an hour and a half was. I did, however, know how long a Mister Rogers episode was. So, my mother would tell me that we were 3 Mister Rogers episodes away. I understood that and I believe that Mister Rogers understood me.

There is a story in the book of how whenever someone stole something that belonged to Mister Rogers, they would return it to him with an apology note that said something along the lines of, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know this belonged to you”. How could you steal from Mister Rogers?

When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him (Proverbs 16:7). Actually, Mister Rogers treated everyone so well, I’m not sure he had any enemies. The more I think about it, I don’t think he was weak and fragile. A gentle tongue can break a bone (Proverbs 25:15) and he was full of love which is the most powerful force in the universe.

When people think of Christmas-time they often think of gifts. Mister Rogers once said that the best gift you can give someone is your honest self. For a half hour every day, he gave me his whole attention. He gave me his vulnerable, simple, honest self.

Mister Rogers was a fine imitator of another one whom we love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). I have no doubt that God used Mister Rogers in a powerful way. Watching his show gave me a better idea of what Jesus is like. Kind. Compassionate. Humble. Full of love and care.

Mister Rogers has a new place of residence now in heaven. One day, I will once again be his neighbor.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Colossians 3:12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcvRMHz4mb4