Look for the Helpers

     

       
       The day after the bombing at the Boston Marathon, a quote from Mr. Rogers spread like wildfire around the web.  "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."
       It is a wonderful response to children and adults alike in the face of such tragedy and obviously, many, many people found it comforting in the hours and days during that week.
       The quote became even more poignant as I watched the video of the bombs going off and watched as people (including Boston police and those working the marathon) ran toward the site of the blasts even as others ran away seeking safety.  Then on that Thursday, volunteer firefighters in the small town of West, Texas ran to the fertilizer plant to take on that fire.  They were joined by professional firefighters from surrounding communities but 14 people were killed, hundreds were injured and many homes were destroyed in the explosion.  I am in awe and humble thanksgiving for helpers in such times and places as these.
       I have been seeing other helpers around where I live these days.   As winter finally gave way to spring and snow melted, people all around the Red River Valley prepared for what was forecasted as a record flood.  Preparations began a few weeks ago with the call for volunteers to come to "sandbag central" in Fargo to make over a million sandbags.  Controversy hit the news when radio commentator Ed Schultz spoke of the use of student volunteers as "slave labor".  Obviously, he's not from around here.
       Here, students must get permission slips signed, dress for work, and volunteer for the job.  Last week, when my own confirmation students came into class sweaty and exhausted, they were proud of their blisters and aches.  It is one of the few enough times and places when their participation is valued and needed as equally as any adults.  And, they have all seen and experienced fighting floodwaters; the Red River has flooded 4 times in the last five years.  (Last year's drought has been the only recent time out.)  
       As it looks now, the impact of this year's flood will be small because thanks to the snail's pace of the weather change, much of the snow melt was slow and seems to have soaked in. This doesn't lessen the need for preparedness or the work that was done.  Any change in the weather or precipitation and things could have been very different.
       Today, I got to experience the work of other helpers.  I took time out from working in the office to join the women quilting in the fellowship hall.  They were busy trying to get the last quilts finished for the season, tying the last of over 200 quilts that will go to Lutheran World Relief and other ministries.  From under 60 to over 90, those hands have been busy through the winter, sewing, pinning and tying quilts that become visible signs of God's love.
         When I shared Mr. Rogers' words in conversation, someone made the comment, that it was too bad that "the Church" couldn't have spoken with as much impact in the days that followed the marathon.  
       It did.  Fred Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister who studied and was ordained with the charge to continue his ministry with children.  His quiet faith surely showed.  I can't think of a better assurance of the love and peace of God. 
        But if people don't know that about him, does it still count as witness?  As we heard again this last week, the world will know that we belong to God not by the jewelry we wear or  the words we say but by how we love one another.  Whether named or not, when those in need, pain, and fear look to the helpers, they will see God's love.  
       "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."  John 13:34-35