I’m still on my Mister Rogers kick. When he received his Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1997 Emmys, Fred Rogers said: “Would you just take, along with me, 10 seconds to think of the people who have helped you become who you are, those who cared about you and wanted what was best for you in life.” No one had ever done anything like that before. He turned the focus first from what he had achieved to what others had done to help him and to his audience that they, too, would remember the people who helped them.

Some years ago I read this in the book What kids Need to Succeed: “Kids have other adults besides their parents they can turn to for advice and support. Ideally, three or more adults play this role in their lives” (p. 32). We need others to become who we are. There were a number of adults in my life that helped me become who I am.  From time to time I remember them, and thank God that they were part of my life.

I suspect it isn’t just kids who need others. For all of Paul’s stress on being called directly by the Lord to be an apostle, it was Ananias who first came to Paul with the message from the Lord Jesus that restored his sight and led him to be baptized.

We ought to remember those who helped shape us, give thanks for them, and imitate them. Others need us to help them and want what is best for them.

Read James 2:8 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne