Pause for Thought

As a little boy growing up in America, I used to watch a children’s show called Mister Rodgers’ Neighbourhood.
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Fred Rogers was an unlikely presenter for a children’s show; his calm demeanour and even delivery was the antithesis of the usual high-energy, colour-saturated fare children normally watch.

But when I look at the grim headlines that dominate the news these days, I’m reminded of something Mister Rodgers once said: “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’.”

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I’ve found ‘looking for the helpers’ has provided a bit of sanity over the past few weeks, because if you look past all the doom and gloom there are many people helping.

Todd RobertsTodd Roberts
Todd Roberts

At the top of the list, of course, are the heroes in the NHS who are serving on the front lines of this pandemic.

Their selfless commitment to serve their patients in this crisis is genuinely inspiring.

I confess I had to choke back tears last Thursday night as I gathered with my family outside our door and joined with our neighbours in a nationwide expression of our gratitude toward them.

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Or how about the incredible response to the NHS’s appeal for volunteer workers?

Support for the NHSSupport for the NHS
Support for the NHS

They initially hoped to find 250,000 people, but 405,000 people volunteered within 24 hours. It is heartening that so many would jump at the opportunity to serve their community in a time of crisis.

I’ve seen numerous accounts of generosity and altruism - from celebrities donating large sums to neighbours serving one another.

I particularly liked that the cancellation of the Chelsea Flower Show has led to spare plants being donated to NHS hospitals - one courtyard at a facility in Plymouth is now filled with colourful poppies and thyme.

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So, when our daily headlines bring their grim reminders of the battle we’re in, remember to look for the helpers who remind us that when life is at its worst, people are often at their best.

Pastor Todd Roberts leads Antioch Community Church, Headford Street, Broomhall, Sheffield – seeantiochsheffield.org.uk

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