God moves through a Mr. Rogers mindset

I watched the Mr. Rogers documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” last night. 

I rarely watch TV (a.k.a. not Netflix) because, well, most shows are dirt — gossip, negativity and seemingly innocent programming that without warning, blast profanity or inappropriate content. I’m selective in what I watch and intentional about not letting a TV schedule determine my day. But last night, TPT aired the Mr. Rogers documentary; and that was worth setting aside a dedicated time slot. 

Flashbacks: I was immediately overcome with memories of watching his show with innocent eyes. During a time I hadn’t yet been exposed to the darkness of this world, Mr. Rogers’ lessons didn’t seem extreme. They do now. 

Cast and crew talked about Mr. Rogers’ genuine spirit. He cared — probably too much — and was hated, by some, for it. But why? Why in a world of darkness is a true light forced into martyrdom? 

This isn’t new. It happened to Jesus too. 

Now I’m by no way comparing Mr. Rogers and Jesus as apples to apples; however, there’s something to learn here. 

We all have an inherent fear of being an outcast; or at least, I do. Mr. Rogers didn’t play a role. He didn’t pretend to be someone he wasn’t. He showed his true colors, even if it was through Daniel Striped Tiger (puppet). The way he expressed himself likely scared others — made them uncomfortable — sparking hatred, protests and misconduct. Mr. Rogers didn’t care. He was willing and dedicated to showing compassion no matter the cost. 

Jesus genuinely loved all creation, so much so He was willing to give His life for them. He showered humanity with glimpses of True love and lived His life with an eye toward the cross. He knew what was coming, and yet, He did it anyway. He broke bread with sinners, healed the lame and “saw” the leprous. He didn’t need a puppet to express his love. Jesus was (and is) love. 

So what’s the takeaway here? We’re called to be imitators of Christ, ambassadors for the Kingdom. Mr. Rogers took that call seriously, not just with kids but with all ages. He became an icon of love in a dark world. 

I invite you to consider this as you go about your day: “What would it look like to practice genuine kindness today?” You might be surprised by the opportunities you begin to see. 

Because God moves through a Mr. Rogers mindset.