Fred Rogers' gentle kindness no longer the norm; choose to be a hero | Matthew L. Sauer

The Rev. Dr. Matthew L. Sauer

For USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

During the month of August, Manitowoc Cooperative Ministry, where I serve as co-pastor, had a worship series that used Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood as a window to see how our faith intersects with culture. Mister Rogers is all the rage right now as our nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of Fred Rogers' groundbreaking children’s television show.

We choose August as the month to work with Mister Rogers because it is the month before school starts up. This gave us a month to talk about the value of children, the compassion that adults can provide and the gentle kindness that should be evident in our culture.

As our children return to school this week, I cannot help but notice that gentle kindness is not a norm in our culture anymore. I am saddened that our children are often frightened by the prospect of going to school.

According to ChildStats.gov, in 2015, seven out every 1,000 students ages 12-17 were a victim of a violent crime. Again in 2015, 7.1 percent of all children reported staying home at least once in the past 30 days because of bullying. Personally, both my children have reported incidents of being bullied.

When we add the growing prevalence of mass violence, it is no wonder our kids do not feel safe. The horrible reports of physical and sexual abuse from trusted leaders only breed more mistrust and fear.

We must realize our children are sponges, they hear what we say, they see what we do and they assume what adults do is the right way to act and speak. So, I am ashamed that our culture has normalized coarse language, insulting speech, lewd behavior and anger-fueled rhetoric.

We the need the gentleness, the kindness, the hope of a Mister Rogers in the world today. The funny thing is I believe that deep down inside of us we all have a Mister Rogers waiting to emerge. I believe the goodness that God created us to be is still within us.

This goodness has become corrupted, but it has not disappeared. If we look deep down within us we will find the divine spark that calls us to love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.

I refuse to give up on humanity. I choose to believe that God has not given up on us, either. Our local acts of compassion and peace speak loudly. We must recognize the little things we do, like saying “please" and "thank you” or “I’m sorry" and "I forgive you,” are the foundational acts that transform our community and our world.

If each of us could learn to uncover the basic human love that is within us and look at the other not as a monster, not as someone who wants to hurt us, not as someone taking from us but as someone just like us who is frightened and worried and trying to find a solution — we will all better off. For me, the path to uncovering the genteelness of the human spirit comes from my hope in the Lord Jesus.

Mister Rogers told the story of how when he was frightened by the things going on outside of his control his mother told him to look for helpers. There are always helpers, there are always people who are trying to make life “OK” again. These people, the helpers, Mister Rogers called heroes.

Let us choose to be heroes today. Let us choose to make this school year a year filled with hope and good feelings. One where every student, every teacher, every staff knows they matter, they are worthy, they are special just for being them.

The Rev. Dr. Matthew L. Sauer is co-pastor of the Manitowoc Cooperative Ministry (First Reformed UCC, St John’s UCC, First Presbyterian PCUSA), chaplain for the City of Manitowoc Police Department and community leader. He may be reached at Matt@mcmunited.com.

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