Goodness and mercy
As a viewer, within the first six minutes of any newscast I would reach for the remote, groan, and say something like: “When I watch the news at night, I can’t sleep; and when I watch the news in the morning, I can’t work.”
And in this age of smartphones with video capabilities I find things going even further downhill.
However, I readily admit that some television news networks have been making an effort to round off their transmissions with stories that don’t keep me awake or distract me from work, employing what anchor David Muir calls “images that lift us.”
Networks now seem to be competing not for the scoop of the the day, with disturbing images from police body-cams, but for the most heartwarming story of the day, or the one most likely to inspire people to follow the example of human kindness or unselfishness they have been watching on their screens.
This is a network tussle I have long hoped for, and one that might help clarify the difference between so-called “fake” and “unfake” news.
Think of passers-by who run to drag people they have never met from burning cars or turbulent oceans.
Think of the bravery of a 57-year old woman, just 5 foot 2, who came to the aid of a 6 foot 6 police officer struggling with an armed suspect in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Think of the bravery of a 57-year old woman, just 5 foot 2, who came to the aid of a 6 foot 6 police officer struggling with an armed suspect in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
As the three of them tumbled heavily to the sidewalk, sirens announced the arrival of police back-up, but not before incredulous observers had berated the woman for getting involved at all.
To the people who insisted she should never have done what she did, she simply said: “I’m not worried what people think of me. All I’m worried about is what God thinks of me.”
Then there was the story about a seven year old boy whose personal motto is “live to give.” He had saved up for months for a visit to Disneyland Park, but when he heard about the hurricane damage in the Bahamas forgot all about Mickey Mouse and reset his goals. He built a stand in his front garden and offered hot dogs and water FREE for anyone who would help him bring relief to the devastated areas. And no-one responded more quickly than Disneyland itself. They invited him to visit them any time—FREE!
Then there was the story about a seven year old boy whose personal motto is “live to give.” He had saved up for months for a visit to Disneyland Park, but when he heard about the hurricane damage in the Bahamas forgot all about Mickey Mouse and reset his goals. He built a stand in his front garden and offered hot dogs and water FREE for anyone who would help him bring relief to the devastated areas. And no-one responded more quickly than Disneyland itself. They invited him to visit them any time—FREE!
I also loved the wordless reflection on TV news of the first day of a new school term. An eight-year-old lad is shown balled up in a corner of the entrance hall crying inconsolably. As we learn later, he is autistic, and worries every day that he will be bullied for being different.
Then we see a young fellow of similar age, yet different, walk up to him, encourage him, take his hand, and boldly lead him into school. The camera zooms in for a poignant close-up showing just two hands—one black (the comforter), and one white (the comforted).
As one reporter pointed out, no words were needed to confirm that early life lesson. Kindness dispels fear. It dries tears. It says, we're not alone.
As one reporter pointed out, no words were needed to confirm that early life lesson. Kindness dispels fear. It dries tears. It says, we're not alone.
This thought is confirmed in Psalm 23 in the Bible: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”
And I suspect that brave woman in Louisiana would agree that goodness and mercy are evident everywhere when we’re open to seeing these qualities in action. Their source is the Creator, and their expression lies in each of us.
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