I recently watched a documentry about Fred Rodgers, better known as the famous children's show host, " Mr. Rodgers." I didn't even mean to watch it at first, and frankly, I started to change the channel cause I figured it would be kinda lame. I couldn't be more wrong. As I watched them tell the story of this amazing human being, I found myself start to get very emotional for some reason. Not only because it was such a touching story, but because I actually enveyed this man.

Let me explain: Mr. Rodgers was above all else, a God fearing Christian man. But you don't hear to much about that. He donated to countless charities, and children's organazations, but you don't hear much about that either. He also won over a dozen golden globe awards, and was given the highest honor that a civilian can be given by the United States. But none of these things really mattered to Mr. Rodgers. As the story told, all he cared about, was that people would love one another.
They had celebrity after celebrity talking of their encounter with Mr. Rodgers, and how he had such a huge impact on their lives. From athletes, to politicians, to actors, to comedians, each one told in detail how much they loved this man, even to the point of tears, to spite, for some of them, only meeting him once! No matter the scenario, or reason for meeting, the story was always the same..they said he made you feel, at that moment, like you really were his friend. That he really cared for you as a human being, and really cared what you had to say. They said he made you feel valued. He made you feel loved.

They said he even took the sarcasm away from comedians when they met him, because he was so genuine, there was nothing to make fun of! The bottom line? He loved his neighbor as himself. He made people feel important, and yet, didn't exclude anyone. Many people didn't even know he was a Christian. But the way he treated people is the essence of Christianity. It's the way we would all love to be treated, and the way, we as Christians, wish we could treat everybody. It's amazing to me how big of an effect this one man had on so many lives, yet we never hear about it. But he left a subtle legacy of love. A legacy that said, "I'm not going to be afraid to show people that I love them, and that they shouldn't be afraid to be loved, or love others."

I found myself choking back tears at the end of the documentry, and dropping to my knees to ask God to let me love people like that. I saw all my insecurities and defense mechanisms, in front of me, and felt so silly about the fact that I let these things dictate my actions towards people, rather than Christ's love. Then it occured to me, that Mr. Rodger's subtle ministry of love had reached another person; me.
I thank God for the subtle, but powerful ministry he gave us through Mr. Rodgers, and I hope that one day, when I'm gone, that I can leave behind a legacy of love that makes people feel valued, and special, and important, and that lets people know the source of my love is found in Jesus Christ. Mr. Rodgers mat not have been "cool" by the world's standards, or even too much of a hero. But he was. He's now one of my heroes. God bless