I discovered Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood when our daughter was a toddler. It was before cable and the “on demand” features we have available nowadays. But when I needed thirty minutes to get dinner started, or mop the kitchen floor, it was a sure fire way to carve out the time.
It wasn’t long before I was drawn in as well to his calming voice and gentle lessons. His trolley, puppets, and visiting neighbors brought messages we all needed to hear.
A few years ago, I was given the book, “Everything I Need to Know I learned from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”. It stays on my desk as every once in a while I need to remind myself of the deep value found in every person. It also reminds me to stop and see the beauty around me, and to keep on learning every day.
And recently flipping through the book yet again, it brought this reminder:
“Be generous with your gratitude. “Thank you.” Two of the best words we can ever learn. In fact, ‘thank you’ is a way of saying ‘I love you.’ “
Gratitude = “the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful” (dictionary.com).
It’s a recognition of something done or given; an appreciation; a response; a praise.
Paul, in writing to the Colossians, reminded them about gratitude. It’s interesting to me that he connected it with spiritual growth.
“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” (Colossians 2:5-7, NASB)
What is this connection, or shall I say, what is the progression Paul is wanting us to see?
We receive Christ and our relationship with Him, is a daily one. As we study and grow in God’s Word, we become steady in our walk. Our root system goes deep and keeps us anchored when everything around us is shifting.
But Paul brings further instruction in telling us, we should be “overflowing with gratitude.”
The verb tense of this phrase tells us this gratitude is to be present, active, and continual in our lives. Gratitude is to be a part of our daily lives.
“A grounded, growing, and grateful believer will not be led astray.”
(Warren Wiersbe)
A heart that is not filled with gratitude will wander as it searches for that which will satisfy. The more we recognize all God continues to do for us each and every day, the more we will be inclined to continue to walk with Him. His faithfulness and goodness draws us to Himself.
Let’s return to the Mr. Roger’s quote: “In fact, ‘thank you’ is a way of saying ‘I love you.’ “
May we be firmly rooted,
established in our faith,
and overflowing with gratitude.
For what are you grateful for today?
I may not be a long distance runner but this lesson was not lost on me: “When we fix our eyes on Him ”“ our goal becomes to be a reflection of His glory, to be a carrier of His Presence, and to show His love to a world desperate for true love.” Read Lisa Blair’s post, Run to Soar HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Daniel Andrade on Unsplash
A lovely reminder of the teaching of a lovely man. In our age of acquisition, gratitude is a forgotten virtue.
Every time I pick up the book, I am reminded of the gentleness and grace he taught in each episode. And yes, many are forgotten today!
We didn’t have the program you mention here in Australia Joanne, but it appears God has a theme going! 😊
Blessings, Jennifer
It delighted me to see God put us both on the same path!
Our family loved Mr. Rogers, too. How neat to connect thankfulness to love. I’ve never thought about it before – that’s not one of his sayings I remembered. But it’s true – it’s loving to let people know we’re thankful for them and what they’ve done. And we have so much to be thankful to God for.
It’s funny, Barbara, as I read the book at times I can hear his tone of voice and inflection 🙂 It is amazing to think of the connection of love and gratitude. May we give thanks to the Lord every day.
I hadn’t heard of the programme until I saw the film about him a couple of years ago, but it sounds like he had lots of wisdom to share and a lovely way of communicating that to children. Gratitude is so important and taking the time to say thank you to people can make a huge difference.
Lesley, I am glad you reminded me of the film as I have not seen it. I think I will put this on my list of things I would like to do this summer!
Love, Love, Love Mister Rodgers! I have so many of Fred Rodgers writings, such wisdom and love in that man! I watched Mister Rodgers as a child and shared him with my own children.
I have read that quote by him about gratitude and couldn’t agree more. Gratitude is a powerful way of saying “I Love You”.
Thank YOU, Joanne, for your faithfulness here, and for encouraging each week with the timeless truths of God’s Word!
Donna, as I read your comment I thought … perhaps they should bring back the original Mr. Rogers programs and put them on in prime time so children and adults alike can learn from him once again.
Loved watching Mister Rogers with the grandkids, nieces, and nephews. When I think back to the wonderful, godly lessons he taught (without bashing children over the head with his Bible). the one that stands out most for me is how he lived out the words of Proverbs 15. He didn’t have to quote the Bible and God’s Word, although I suspect he could have easily. Instead, he chose to live out the Bible through the way he lived his life. Thank you for sharing this important post about an important man who I believe laid up many treasures for his Lord and Savior.
J.D., I love what you have brought out about him. You are so right! He was a living demonstration (actions) which spoke louder than words. And all of us who watched him, have never forgotten those lessons. So interesting. You brought to mind the saying “Better caught than taught.”
What a lovely reminder, Joanne. Thank you!
Gratitude makes the heart lighter and sets us free from selfishness, Joanne. This is a powerful statement, “A heart that is not filled with gratitude will wander as it searches for that which will satisfy.” Thanks for the post highlight!
“A grounded, growing, and grateful believer will not be led astray.”
(Warren Wiersbe) echoes the instaencouragments post I read today which said, “An ungrateful person is only one step away from getting his or her needs met in illegitimate ways.” ””Dr. D. James Kennedy
Thank you for sharing that quote as it is another powerful thought on the power of being grateful or not. May we make the decision to be grateful every day.
Mr. Rogers has been one of my very favourites ever since I was a little girl. I watched it with my own children as well.
Joanne, beautiful words here. I love the idea of gratitude being a form of saying, “I love you.” For the past number of years, God has encouraged me to write down things I’m thankful for each day. What you said about hearts that don’t choose gratitude find themselves wandering has been lived out in the lives of some of those around me.
Great post!
I remember watching Mister Rogers when I was small but I don’t recall those beautiful words. They are stunning–and true.
Joanne, I didn’t watch Mr. Rogers as a kid but I loved the film about him that Lesley mentioned in her comment. What a gentle soul he was. And this is so true: “A heart that is not filled with gratitude will wander as it searches for that which will satisfy.” Hugs, friend.