A Story of Mr. Rogers

My wife, Ann, and I recently went to see the new movie/documentary about Fred Rogers.  I highly recommend the movie particularly to adults (there are a few things in the movie that might not make it so appropriate for young children).  After seeing the movie,  I was reminded of a story that Fred Rogers shared in his book The World According to Mister  Rogers. 

What many people do not know or do not remember about Fred Rogers is that he was an ordained pastor.  He tells in the book  about a time he was worshipping on a Sunday in a church in New England.   It  matters not what was the denomination of the Christian Church or where it was located.   At the end of the worship service,  Rogers shares that he thought the service was quite boring and that the sermon of the pastor had meant little to him.  As he was preparing to make his way out of the sanctuary, he noticed the woman sitting right next to him.   Tears were streaming down her face.  When he spoke to her inquiring about whether she was alright, she muttered through her tears:  “Oh, what a wonderful service.  It so deeply touched me.”   Fred Rogers goes on in the book to share that he learned a lesson that day, and it was that because people are different they are touched by different things and in different ways. 

In Isaiah 6, we hear about a time that the prophet Isaiah was in the temple worshipping.  Surely there were some folks that left the service believing that it was the “same old, same old” and just another day in the temple.   However, it was so much more than that for Isaiah.  Deep in the marrow of his soul,  Isaiah felt touched by the hand and the call of God Almighty.    In Acts 9, we read about a time that the man we call the apostle Paul was making his way down the road to Damascus.  Though his travel companions saw nothing,  Paul saw the Lord Jesus and heard him speak to him. 

We serve a mighty God who speaks to all, but who touches us sometimes as if we were the only one.  It happened to Isaiah and Paul, and it happened to a woman sitting beside Fred Rogers in a worship service long ago.  And I pray happens to you and me every now and then.   Have a joy-filled week.--  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God,  speak to me and let me hear.  Touch me in the deep recesses of my heart and soul with the love that is found in you;  through Christ our Lord.  Amen.