Right now, it’s snowing with no signs of stopping. Whether that’s a beautiful thing or not is always a heated debate in Maine. But it’s always a beautiful day in Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood.
Have you seen It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood? I have. Twice. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I mean, I grew up watching Mr. Rogers. But, as I got older, I hate to say…Mr. Rogers became a bit of a joke.
A joke that got REALLY old when I married into the name.
Then I watched the movie inspired by an article written for Esquire magazine, Can You Say…Hero? When a movie is inspired, you have to wonder how much was truth and what was fiction. But Mr. Rogers seems to be the real deal. And if the real Mr. Rogers was anything like the one portrayed in the movie, He exemplified what it means to be Christ-like despite our sinful flesh sacks. And, after watching Tom Hank’s stellar performance, I was convicted. I want to be more like him.
Why?
1 – He was kind
Mr. Rogers treated everyone he came across as if their meeting was a divine appointment from God. He prayed for them by name. He wrote back to everyone who wrote to him–hundreds of letters a week. He truly cared about children and helping them learn to manage their emotions.
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” – Colossians 3:12
2 – He practiced what he preached
According to his wife in the movie, Mr. Rogers had a temper. He practiced keeping his anger under control. I haven’t found that anywhere else, but he was bullied as a child and played the piano and wrote music to express his emotions. All the things he told children to do were things he did himself. Perhaps that was part of the reason he spoke slowly and deliberately…like he was considering his words.
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” – James 1:19
3 – He didn’t complain
From what I can find, Mr. Rogers was always others-focused. He was too interested in them to complain about anything himself. In fact, in the Esquire article, Tom Junod claims that Mr. Rogers tended to deflect questions about himself back on Tom.
“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” – Philippians 2:14-15
4 – He worked for God
The article 41 Wonderful Facts About Mr. Rogers quoted a letter Mr. Rogers wrote to a child stating that he was a Presbyterian Minister and hoped God’s love and peace came through his show. Like Christ, he was about his Father’s business.
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” – Colossians 3:23
5 – He finished well
Mr. Rogers ran the race and completed God’s will for him here on earth. He was faithful. I’m sure he heard those words I long to hear one day, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” – Hebrews 12:
““The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” – Matthew 25:21
Simply put–Mr. Rogers fulfilled the two greatest commands. He loved God and He loved people. And his life bore fruit.
“Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:37-40
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” – Galatians 5:22-23
Why wouldn’t I want to be like him?
There are so many more wonderful things about Mr. Rogers that inspire me. All that he did and stood for…his love for God and people, his heart for children, his focus, his purpose, his hopes to make a difference, his kindness…all these things and more…give me a newfound respect for Mr. Rogers and makes him a new personal hero of the faith.
Though it’s Christmas time and there are more Christmasy things I’d like to share, this movie is still in the theaters and I wanted to share this while there’s still time to go. And I highly recommend you do. If you were at all impacted by Mr. Rogers as a child and want to be further impacted by him as an adult, go see it now or when it becomes available on DVD/streaming.
And what’s more Christmasy than learning from Christ and from those who act more Christ-like than most? Jesus came to die for us. But He also came to show us how to live.
Do you have good examples to follow? Whether you do or don’t, check out this movie. If the world were full of people more like him, every day would be a beautiful day in our neighborhoods…despite the weather.
You are loved,
J F Rogers