Mr. Rogers once sang a song that asked, “What do you do with the mad that you feel?”

If you follow the discourse of those feverishly posting about politics on social media, you know that’s probably a question that needs to be revived. Fortunately, the film Won’t You Be My Neighbor from director Morgan Neville does just that.

I’ve always felt a special connection to Fred Rogers. Even though I’d never actually met him, I’ve always had an indescribable affection and respect for him—a connection I believed to be oddly unique and special. But after watching the newly released documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor, I realized that the sincerity of this man made everyone feel that way. The feeling may not have been unique, but it was still special.

A note to Josh from Fred Rogers

Yes, Mr. Rogers taught me how to tie my shoes. He addressed my own fears and worries through the character of Daniel Striped Tiger, and he responded to the letter I wrote him. Once he even called my friend’s house while I was visiting.

But none of that explained the connection I felt to him. I never really understood it, but after watching this film it became a little more clear.

He showed real love, not manufactured television love, but a sincere love that transcended the medium he used to communicate. He wasn’t pretending to talk directly to us as children—he really was. The conversation was real for him and that made it real for us. But there was something more.

When you watch this film (and you should) make special note of Fred Rogers when he’s NOT speaking. Pay close attention to his eyes whenever a child or an adult is talking to him. He was never waiting for his turn to talk, and he’s never thinking about the next thing on his to-do list. Every frame of Mr. Rogers silently listening in this film is overwhelmingly moving because we’re not used to someone being completely present for us.

That’s the thing that made millions of people feel like they knew him. When he said you were special, it wasn’t because he thought you should have a sense of entitlement. It was because he saw God’s creation in every person, and that made them worthy of being loved. That heart gave him a supernatural and spiritual gift to see real people instead of a camera lens when he recorded his show.

Mr. Rogers embraced a life reflecting God’s love in a way that showed dignity to all people. He could do that with kindness and grace because he saw every person as being created in God’s image. He didn’t agree with every position and he stood his ground on certain issues, but he never let a difference in politics affect his ability to love someone—regardless of their politics.

Unlike so many us, Fred Rogers’ Fruit of the Spirit basket had a harvest overflowing with kindness.

There are too many people angrily singing, “Don’t You Be My Neighbor” in this world, but this film challenges that social darkness. So I’m gently asking my friends who spend all their time being angry on social media to put down your phones and go watch Won’t You Be My Neighbor.

That’s what you should do with the mad that you feel right now. And then ask God to teach you how to have true kindness for others—how to be truly present for one another.

The film is very well made and does an excellent job of making you examine your own heart as it shares the heart and mission of a very special ordained minister who was called to build up children and show God’s love to all.

As Christians, our goal is to be transformed to become more like Christ. We don’t want to try and be Mr. Rogers. We want to reflect the kindness of Christ, not another human being. But Mr. Rogers’ story can encourage and remind us that looking like Christ to someone else is possible.

What was your reaction to the movie? How do you try to reflect God’s love to the people around you? I’d love to have you comment below.

NOTE: Won’t You Be My Neighbor is rated  PG-13 (for some thematic elements and language, so parents should watch on their own first).

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