Look for the Good

The grandkids took us to the state fair.  Yes, I stated that correctly. They wore us out.  We saw animals, rode rides, played games, and we saw the Pirate Show with pirates diving 80 feet into a small pool of water. On one ride, my daughter Chandler put the three-year-old in this haunted house alone, with the five-year-old in charge. They quickly turn back, running out saying, “it is scary.” The intelligent five-year-old said, “Mom, did you even look at the pictures!” This reminded me of an important principle: Look for the good.

Mr. Rogers’ Legacy

This experience reminded me of Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood ran for over 31 seasons, 895 episodes, from 1968 until 2001. What a legacy!  Mr. Rogers’ message was “Love your neighbor and love yourself.”  He made many great statements over the years. This is the one that reminded me of the fair:

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.”  — Mr. Rogers

Such a simple idea, but very powerful. 

Simple, Yet Powerful

We have a “cutesey” plaque on our television stand at home. We all have them. It is the one you have to lift up and dust around. It is a fake wood, square sign, with words on it.  Hobby Lobby is filled with these little “crafty” things.  It is not very attractive. I’ve picked it up hundreds of times and I’ve often thought, “Why do we keep this around.  Maybe, I should just throw it out.”  But, I never do, because while holding it in one hand and the dusting rag in the other I’m force to read it; like Mr. Rogers’, the message is so powerful.

So, there it sits next to our television as a reminder of this most important principle. “…Whatever is true whatever is noble whatever is right whatever is lovely whatever is admirable…think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). These words point to the purpose of my message today which is to discover how our commitment to God can allow us to overcome self-centeredness, both in ourselves and in others.

I offer you this prescription. Find a quiet place, spend some time with God, and ask him to help you fix your mind and eyes on him. May our good, good father bless you, so that your cup overflows with blessings. It is my prayer that you will change your focus and look for the good!

Also, see Faith Makes All Things Possible.

© 2019 Chuck Locklear All rights reserved