I loved Mr. Rogers. I watched him as a child, I watched him with my child. It seemed to me that his gentleness and compassion emanated from him like the warmth of a blanket on a cold night. In my mind, he epitomized Christ's message to love mercy, do justly, walk humbly. He said this: "When I was a boy I used to think that strong meant having big muscles, great physical power; but the longer I live, the more I realize that real strength has much more to do with what is not seen. Real strength has to do with helping others."

Can I love mercy, do justly in my world and still walk humbly? I hope so. I want to live in the spirit of Christ, be merciful to my fellow man, show my strength of character through my everyday life, not through a banner listing my accomplishments.

I work in a hospital where our patients are young active-duty military servicemembers, and we are coming into the time of year when organizations appear every week, bringing food and gifts and cheer. Sometimes they come in, and they give their gifts, then they want to pose for pictures with the patients. This bothers me a little, for a couple of reasons. First, are they coming to bring companionship and compassion to the patients, or are they coming for a photo opportunity? Once the photos are taken, the group is gone, leaving behind their well-labeled gifts. And second where are these groups the rest of the year? The patients are still here, still lonely; still available for company in February, June, September. What will these patients remember? Will they remember that you looked into their eyes, and had a genuine, caring conversation, or will they remember how eager you were to be in a picture with them, and then move on to the next patient?

"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."

Heavenly Father, let me be an instrument of Your peace. Help me to live my life every day in a posture of mercy, justice, and humility. Help me to see opportunities to help others that I may not be aware of, and guide me in understanding Your will. Amen.

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How can we serve others? A lot of times I take this to mean that I need to physically "serve" others. Providing food, clothes, transportation, etc. for those in need is a form of service that I generally think of when I read Matthew 25:35-36: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. However, how many times have we served someone who just needs a shoulder to lean on or a nonjudgmental ear? I am willing to provide "physical" service, but I tend to ignore the "personal" service to others. If I am honest with myself and others, I will admit that sometimes I feel that I am far too busy to be concerned about the feelings of others.

There have been times where a coworker or a friend comes to me with a problem or concern and I easily dismiss them or the problem. Then afterwards, I feel bad. I had an opportunity to serve, and I failed to do so. I have learned, though, that sometimes all someone needs is a sympathetic ear. Recently, a coworker learned that he was possibly going to be deployed to Iraq. As I listened to him, I could hear the apprehension in his voice. We talked for about 15 minutes and I assured him that I would be available to talk to if he needed me. Several days later, we were talking again and he told me that he was astounded by my conversation with him; he thought that when he called me I was going to tell him what he needed to do and dismiss his concern, but he was surprised to find that I was actually concerned about him and his emotions.

The second conversation with him made me think, "What kind of Christian image do I portray that made him think that I would be unconcerned about him and his situation?" It made me realize that maybe I need to do a better job at promoting the image that I am willing to serve others, not just by providing physical needs, but emotional needs as well. When the church asks for money or items, I am more than willing to help. When charities ask for donations, I am willing to give money. If I am honest with myself, I will admit that I am lacking in other areas of Christian love and service.

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The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40

In last week's sermon John confessed to the congregation about a homeless man who approached him after the First Friday events. He told us how he was guilt-stricken on his way home about how he lives in comfort while this man has nothing. I too have something to confess. Once John and I walked to his car and said our goodbyes. I noticed the homeless man whom John had been speaking to earlier was standing behind me. I began to walk away when the man approached John. In that moment, I knew what he was doing. I walked away slowly to make sure John would be alright. I had no sooner gotten around the corner when the same man approached me. He explained that he needed a few dollars to buy a bed in the boardroom where he was staying and asked if I could spare some money. I kindly explained to him that I had given him all I could give him for that night. He had come up several times to talk to us during the event, and every time he came up I gave him another bag of chips and another drink. I told the man that I could offer him no more help and that I did not carry cash, and wished him well.

My confession is, I had two dollars in my pocket. I lied to this man because I did not believe that he wanted the money for a place to sleep. I stood in judgment on this man and have lived in guilt ever since. It did not strike me how to properly handle that situation until I learned that John was suffering from the same guilt. Christ put it in my heart that I "should" have handed him the money. But before he could take it from me, I could have prayed with this man over the money. I could have prayed to God that this money would go to what he had told me he wanted it for, and pray that he would find warmth in the bed this money would be used for. I could have prayed that if he used the money for anything other than a place to sleep he would find no comfort in what he erroneously spent the money for. I could have reminded him that this money was coming from a child of God and that Christ would be watching to ensure he did not betray my trust. But I did not do these things, and I had to confess to John that I was truly sorry and hoped that God would forgive me. You can be sure of this though, I will have that two dollars in my pocket next First Friday, and I will look for this man, and I will do the things that I "should" have done then.

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Gracious Father,

Amen

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