Wednesday, May 8, 2019


“Look for the Helpers”
By Tracy Smith

“..not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

It’s been six years since the Boston Marathon bombing. I remember finding out about the bombing and seeing story after story on the news. After the tragedy, it was so hard to continue to hear the awful details of what happened that day. It was so very sad. Through Facebook, I was reminded of a quote by Mr. 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.'"

Those were the stories I focused on and the stories I continued to read and watch. Over and over again, you would hear stories of people running towards the danger to help others - - with no regard for their own safety. You heard stories of runners finishing a 26.2 mile run and continuing on to local hospitals to see if they could donate blood, and average citizens giving first aid in order to save a life. Boston locals stepped up in many ways also: offering a place to stay for stranded runners, feeding them and offering the use of their phones to runners that were lost after being diverted off the course of the marathon. Amazing.

While this particular tragedy occurred years ago, sad and scary things continue to happen in our world and this quote applies to all of them - - there are always helpers to focus on.

Those examples showed how people responded in an extreme circumstance. What can this look like in our everyday lives? Luke 3:10-11 (NIV) says this, “‘What should we do then?’ the crowd asked. John answered, ‘Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.’” We can do this by looking out for people in need, and when we see the need, try to find a way to meet it.

There are so many options: volunteering at a non-profit that helps those in need, helping an elderly or disabled neighbor with yard work, offering a glass of water or a cup of coffee to the person fixing your washing machine, giving a frightened child a hug, or just smiling at the cashier who is having a rough day. The opportunities are endless, if we just take the time to slow down and look. I hope someday that someone remembers me as the helper who made a difference.

The next time the news shows something scary happening, take the time to look for the helpers.

GOING DEEPER
1. Is there someone in your world who needs a helper? If so, are you willing to pray regarding what you can do to be a helper?

FURTHER READING

Along with being a wife and mother to two teenage sons, Tracy is a ministry assistant at Oakwood and works with a great group of High School girls.