Look For the Helpers

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

Yet another trajedy.  Is it just me, or are they coming faster and more furiously than ever?  Does it just seem like more because of the over-coverage by the media?  Whatever it is, it's still hard to take.  This latest will be all over the news for days.  More than just bad news... awful news.

The question is often asked... Why is there never this kind of extended media coverage of the good things that happen?  Believe it or not, there is  a "Good News Network" that only reports good news... but it's not very popular.  Why?  I think it is because "good" news really isn't "news" at all.... because "good" is still normal and normal is not news.  It is when the worst things happen that our interest is piqued.  And that is... thankfully... because, even though it seems like it is happening more and more, these terrible things are still not what we expect.

A quote from Fred Rogers:  "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." To this day, especially in times of "disaster," I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world."

So as the news of this latest disaster unfolds, look for the helpers.  They are not "news" because they are what is normal.  Most people in this world are not disaster creators, they are helpers.  And that is good news... so it is not really news at all.

Whether it is applied to the great disaster in Boston, or to one of the recent disasters that still have people grieving in their wakes, or to a more private disaster in the life of a friend or neighbor, be a helper today.  You may not make the news, but that's a good thing.  It means that helpers are still normal.

Holy God,
Have mercy on us.  Help us.  Heal us.  Amen.

Joys:  The helpers; nice weekend with Richard; fun sleepover with Cece Sunday night