See Also:
Beginning of a FAMOUS Hero: The Fred Rogers Story.
Life Lesson #59 – Be An Encourager.
Elyse and her brother, Matthew, were just like best of friends. They enjoyed being with each other very much. They liked doing the same kinds of things, and going to the same places. One time they spent part of the summer with their Aunt Becky in Texas. They were all having a wonderful time when suddenly Aunt Becky heard something very troubling.
Matthew had been explaining something to Elyse, and when it seemed like she wasn’t understanding, Matthew said, as though he were angry, “Use your brain, Elyse—you do have one don’t you!?” Aunt Becky said, “Matthew!” But then Elyse said, “It’s okay—he does that all the time—it doesn’t bother me.” Well, it really did bother her, and Aunt Becky knew it. She also knew it’s exactly the way Matthew and Elyse’s father treated their mother. “Guys,” she said. “We need to talk. Elyse, you should be bothered when people treat you that way—even when it’s your brother. And Matthew, how would you feel if somebody treated you like that?”
Matthew couldn’t believe what he had just heard, but he realized immediately that his aunt was right. He wasted no time apologizing to Elyse, and he really meant it. Aunt Becky went on to say that it’s HEROES who say and do things to HELP others…not hurt others. He knew she was right about that, too. A couple of times after that he caught himself starting to put down or be bossy to his sister, because he had formed a really bad habit of doing that. But each time, he stopped quickly and apologized. It wasn’t long before he learned completely to not do that anymore, but instead to say things and do things for her that would always HELP, and never hurt.
– Jim Lord