Imagine carrying a paralyzed friend to be healed, and finding the way blocked by a crowd. Then imagine deciding to carry him to the roof on a stretcher … and then cutting a hole in the roof to carefully lower him … to be blessed by Jesus.

These friends had faith of the highest order! The kind of faith that pushes through obstacles that some might think were insurmountable. They were helpers in a way that truly made a difference.

In recent years, these words spoken by Fred Rogers (of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood) have gone viral: “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.’ ”

Those words are comforting when we feel helpless – like a child watching Mr. Rogers or an adult who feels paralyzed (physically, spiritually or emotionally). We all have moments in our lives when we need to watch for and rely on helpers, and that’s okay.

But there are times when we can be the helpers. Not everything we do has to be as grand as lowering a friend through a roof. During a pandemic, the ways I can help might seem small, but every small thing can make a big difference in someone’s life. I can write a letter to someone who lives alone; I can gather items I no longer need, to donate when it’s safe to go out again; I can give money to an organization that fights for social justice. I am grateful for all the ways I can make a difference.

Today, let me be a helper.