In my reflection BUILDING TRUST, I wrote about a Fred Rogers quote a music director, a “stranger” to me then, mentioned. When I sent an email and shared the link with him, his return email included another Fred Rogers quote. He was excited to share a powerful story of Mister Rogers’ influence in his life through the years and suggested we meet in person. I was honored to listen to him share, as I both smiled and cried seeing God working in his life.
As I was listening, I could see the influence of Mister Rogers flow out of him through the way he lives. This man, through the years, has learned the importance of caring about the people he meets, both professionally and personally. He lives knowing the value of:
In retrospect, I can’t help but see how powerful and perfect the quote in his email:
“If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.” –Fred Rogers
He also said, “And I guess our encounter with one another left a lasting impression on both of us.” I see God’s ripple effect of goodness with this man sharing his story at church the first day, which inspired me to hand him a copy of my book, telling him I would be praying for him. It has led to an unexpected friendship that is blessing us both and, as he also said, “Unexpected friends are the best.”
My friend with Mister Rogers in 1996 when he was invited to spend a day on the set of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood!
When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” –Luke 7:36-39 (NIV)
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” –Luke 7:44-48 (NIV)
I don’t think the woman in this story ever dreamed she would meet Jesus face-to-face. I doubt she knew her encounter with Jesus would have the impact it did on both of their lives. Jesus did not shun this woman, a sinner as the Pharisee called her. This woman even did what the ‘religious’ host should have done but didn’t. She anointed and cleaned the feet of Jesus, making Him feel honored and welcome. Her act of sharing love with Jesus led Him to give her the unexpected gift of forgiving her sins! Both the woman and Jesus had lasting effects on each other’s lives.
If you took to heart this quote, would you live your life any differently?
“If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.” –Fred Rogers
As you go about your day, whether…
…going to work,
…running errands,
…staying home with the family,
…or doing ministry…
*Do you sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet?
At times, we can get so busy with “doing” things we need a reminder that relationships are most important. Each interaction we have in our day is an opportunity to share God’s love. We might think our interaction is so small and not important but we never know how God will use it to impact another’s life.
–Maybe the stranger you smiled at in the store lives alone and has no one to visit them.
–Maybe sending a text to a person telling them you were praying for them saved their life.
–Maybe a new friendship speaking life into your spirit gave you the encouragement you needed to step out in faith.
*How important you can be to the people you may never even dream of?
We never know the orchestrations God has planned for our lives. We might meet a person in a completely different social class that comes into our lives to help us understand others more. Blessings abound when we are open to unexpected friendships.
–Have you ever prayed for God to bring a new relationship into your life?
–Have you asked God for a Christian friend so you can talk about spiritual things?
–Have you seen the blessings of unexpected friendships?
*How there is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person?
With every interaction with people, we leave a part of ourselves with them. Sometimes that part of us can be something good and sometimes bad. We influence others all the time without even knowing it.
–Are you striving to share God’s love and goodness?
–Do you share more encouragement than negativity?
–Do others see your attentiveness in listening to them?
I see God working in my life through my writing ministry as I meet new people through the sharing of my books. God is expanding my world, and the forming of more spiritual friendships is enriching my life. It is a privilege to learn people’s stories and see the blessings God orchestrates. Strangers quickly become friends in the Lord.
This week may you be encouraged to:
*Know your life is valuable to others.
*Be open to people you never thought of friending before.
*Leave a bit of yourself, along with God’s love and goodness, with everyone you meet.
*Make connections with people.
*Care about others asking, “Who are you?” as you take time to know the core of their being.
*Get people in touch with themselves and others.
*Love others.
*Forgive more.
*Share God’s grace.
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. –Romans 12:9-10 (NLT)
*Note: God willing, I will not be posting a new reflection for three weeks as I venture to the Holy Land to walk where Jesus did. 🙂 Feel free to stop by and read any older posts. Thanks for your support~
