I first discovered Mister Rogers when I had my first born. She was born the summer of 1981. I am not sure exactly when the TV began turning to WGBH but those days, he came on immediately after Sesame Street. There was something comforting about seeing him come home, take off his sneakers and hang up his sweater. His voice was calming as he talked gently, telling about his days; teaching us all how to live in this world and somehow make it a better place. His visitors, his puppets, his trolley all became welcomed into our toddler’s home. And mine as well ……
You rarely have time for everything you want in this life, so you need to make choices. And hopefully your choices can come from a deep sense of who you are. (Fred Rogers)
Choice – “the act of choosing” (as defined by dictionary.com). So the question then becomes …. What are we choosing?
We can choose from a number of possibilities. We can pick by preference (Which will I like better?). We can choose by level of ease or difficulty (Which will be the easiest for me to do, to get, to achieve?). We can choose by ambition (What will get me the farthest in life? Or bring me the largest paycheck? Or make a name for myself?).
Choices can either be disappointing or bring us immeasurable joy. We each make choices every day and maybe multiple times a day. Our lives are a composite of the choices made in our lives.
So back to Mr. Rogers for he brings three things to mind this morning …
- We rarely have time for everything. This means what we do with each day truly does matter. “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12, NIV). We are here but a short time, let’s make each day count.
- You need to make choices. Perhaps the first and most important choice is, “Choose today whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15). This is of our own choosing and personal to each of us. “But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” (again verse 15).
- Choices come from a deep sense of who you are. May each and every choice we make stem from knowing that we are His. “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will”. (Ephesians 1:11, NIV).
Yes, Mr. Rogers taught me a few things about making choices. We all have today, a 24 hour segment of time. Exactly what we do with this day is completely up to each one of us. It is our choice.
But let’s make today count!
Today I am joining Ć¢ā¬Ā¦. The Weekend Brew and SITS Sharefest and Recommendation Sat. and Fellowship Fri. and Blog LovinĆ¢ā¬ā¢ .
We were a Mr. Rogers watching family! You are a delight my friend. Simple but powerful message. Much love.
Beth – Thanks so much! Amazing the things that can come back to us š Praying you have had a good Christmas. I have loved seeing the photos of you & your sons. May God continue to keep you & give you His joy!
Oh weren’t those the days when we had about 10 TV stations if we were lucky. Who’d of guessed that decades later there’d be gold to mine! Good ol’ Mr. Rogers!
And yes, how blessed we are to be able to choose … especially how to respond to life, to our emotions, to God …
LOL, Linda, we had 6 stations!!! May we make wise choices in the days ahead!
Dear Joanne
Your post today reminds me so much of something Augustine said ages ago. He said that the only thing we have to do, is to love God. Then we can do whatever we want to do.
Blessings XX
Mia
So very true, Mia. For if our love is focused on Him, we will always choose the right “whatever”.
Always loved Mr. Rogers! 24 hours — time to make good choices!
Stopping in from SITS.
I think most of us truly did love him. Thanks so much for stopping here! Happy New Year!
Loved this I miss Mr. Rogers I heard they had a cartoon that was similar out for kids now I need to find the name of it. Stopping over from SITS
I have never heard that a cartoon had been made. I bet it wouldn’t come close to the original. So glad that you stopped here. Have a Happy New Year!
Oh how we loved Mr. Rogers. I shed tears when he died, and I am so pleased that his message and spirit live on. Love this post!
Thanks for linking up with Recommendation Saturday!
Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
It really was a one of a kind program. So glad to be a part of your linkup!
Fred Rogers was a dear, sweet man. Some snickered and made fun of him but my boys were mesmerized by him when they were little. It’s too bad there’s no one else like him out there (on TV) to help teach the little ones these days about gentleness, patience and kindness. A great post.
So very true that he truly displayed character that is so missing today. Our kids, & my daycare children, also loved him & his trolley! Thank you so much for sharing here.
I really like this. I always watched Mr. Rogers growing up and love the biblical backing to these lessons. I always love finding another Christian blog online. found you through the SITS Sharefest Linky and I’m glad I did!
So glad that you found me as well. I am going to come & visit you as well š
I grew up watching Mr. Rogers. This post made me smile. This is a good word as we head into the new year — make each day count.
It is amazing to me how many enjoyed & grew up on Mr. Rogers. I never expected this much response š May 2014 be filled with wise choices that make our days count for Him!
I never knew he said such wise and smart things! Thanks for sharing!
I may have to share some other quotes I have of his. He really was clever in the way he said things. At times, I wonder if he was speaking more to the adults that might be watching with their children than to the children š
What a wonderful quote of wisdom from Mr Rogers. I feel strong about discernment and that is a great piece of guidance. Choices from someplace deep inside us. That really rung true for me. Thanks!
Jean – The quote rang true for me as well. The world & those around us can so pressure & influence our choices. Only when we make choices from deep within us, with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, will our choices be wise. So grateful that you shared here with me.
Stopping by from SITS! What great quotes. Thanks for sharing.
Glad that you stopped here & enjoyed the quote from Mr. Rogers. May you have a happy 2014 filled with wise choices!