Once upon a time there was a song by Mr. Roger’s…

I am of the firm belief that no one is ever too old for a good dose of Mr. Rogers.

A while back my daughter and I found a DVD copy of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood at our local library. As we watched together, equally absorbed in the adventures of Lady Alaine and Daniel Tiger, my attention was drawn to a song they were singing while peeling apples for an afternoon snack.

“It’s the apple salad way to say, I love you.

It’s the apple salad way to show I care about you.”

It was a simple song and it may seem a little silly written here where you can’t hear its tune but nonetheless the words struck me. They reminded me of all the simple ways we can show love to the people around us.

I have since made it a point to adopt this song as a regular in our household. As I go about my day with my girls and my family I often sing this song when opportunities arise…

When my daughter lost her glove and freaked out because her hands were so cold:

“It’s the giving you my glove way to say, I love you.

It’s the giving you my glove way to show I care about you.”

When she wanted me to sit next to her on the backseat because she was tired and carsick:

“It’s the sitting in the backseat way to say, I love you.

It’s the sitting in the backseat way to show I care about you.”

Did I want to give up my gloves? Not really. Do I like sitting on the backseat? For sure, no! But in both of these instances I was willing to because it was a chance to choose love.

There are so many ways to show love and each of them is a reflection of God’s love for us.

And it’s true, sometimes love feels more like a duty, or an obligation, or a chore but when we see these small and seemingly insignificant acts of kindness as an opportunity or a privilege, the act of love becomes a joy and a blessing not just to those on the receiving end of our love but to our hearts as well.

So look around you. Consider all the big and little ways you can sing this song for others. Consider all the big and little ways God is singing this song for you…

When your co-worker is having a stressful day:

“It’s the fixing you a cup of tea way to say, I love you.

It’s the fixing you a cup of tea way to show I care about you.”

Or when you’re running late for work but God’s got your back:

“It’s the all green lights on the way to work way to say I love you.

It’s the all green lights on the way to work way to show I care about you.”

If nothing else I promise this will put a smile on your face and a song in your heart.  And perhaps it will also serve as a simple, yet no-less-real reminder of the endless ways we can love each other, of the lavish ways He loves us.

Brave Prince, lovely Princess, may you wake up this day to the fairy tale found in the simple wisdom of Mr. Rogers. May you share this little song about love with the people in your “neighborhood.” May find the voice of God sweetly singing over you.