“Look
for the Helpers”
By Tracy
Smith
“..not looking
to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Philippians 2:4 (NIV)
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.
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.
