30-Second Version For Busy People

It’s storytime!

I’ve always been fascinated with storytelling, so I told my son his first bedtime story—entirely off the dome. You probably will be able to tell when you read it.

The story ended up being about loving the lonely. I didn’t even know that was what was on my heart before I started telling the story. I hope you enjoy it as much as my son did. If you’re just here for the quick version, here are your better thoughts and actions.

• Better Thought: Focus on what you can fix, not what someone else breaks.

• Better Action: Reach out to someone who might feel like a Mr. Smasher—someone who’s struggling or feeling out of place.

Remember, better thoughts lead to better actions, and better actions lead to better results.

Full Version

I told my son a story while putting him to bed the other night. It was a simple story (I’m still mastering the art of good storytelling), but I thought it might be something worth sharing with you.

So, here is the story.

There were two men who lived in a small town that sat perched on the very edge of a large ravine. They will be at the center of tonight’s story.

First, there is Mr. Smasher, who is quite good at doing all the things his name suggests. He smashes. This is largely due to his hulking frame and oversized fists. Just this morning, he was seen in the center of the small town that sat perched on the very edge of a large ravine. He crushed and cracked the steps of the local deli, mashed the doorknob like a crumbled piece of paper, and shattered the glass of the front window.

It was a disaster.

The other man is Mr. Fixer, who is quite good at doing all the things his name suggests. He fixes. He is so good at fixing it takes him no time at all to put something back into working order. He simply taps the broken thing with this golden wrench and. . .poof. . .it’s practically brand new. Just this late morning he was in the center of the small town that sat perched on the very edge of a large ravine and. . .tap. . .tap. . .tap. . .it was like Mr. Smasher was never there.

It was right once again.

Later that day, Mr. Fixer was on a walk in the middle of the large ravine. Along the path, he heard the sound of a large animal in a patch of bushes. It wailed and moaned. But soon, Mr. Fixer realized it was the sound of someone crying—and not just anyone —Mr. Smasher. He thought about turning to walk back home, but Mr. Fixer thought to himself, Maybe I can fix that.

“Hey, Mr. Smasher.” He said as he pulled back the bushes. “What are you so sad about?”

"All I do is smash, smash, smash," Mr. Smasher said, his voice trembling. "I try to be careful, I really do, but everything I touch just crumbles. Now nobody wants me around. It's like I'm cursed to break everything I love."

Mr. Fixer knelt down beside Mr. Smasher, his golden wrench resting softly in his hand. "I’ve fixed a lot of things in my life," he said quietly, "but the best repairs are the ones that are not actually broken, just misused.”

The two men walked out of the ravine. People gasped, clutching their children close as Mr. Smasher’s shadow loomed over them. Window shutters slammed shut, and whispers of fear spread through the crowd like wildfire. One man even stepped forward, fists clenched, as if to challenge Mr. Smasher. But the two men—one smashing, one fixing—walked on, undeterred, shoulder to shoulder.

They came to the same deli shop they both visited that morning. When Mr. Smasher stepped up, the weight of his body cracked the first step, but Mr. Fixer came behind and. . . poof. . it was fixed. Mr. Smasher gripped and turned the front door, which crumbled under the pressure of his oversized fist. When he pulled away from the locked door, Mr. Fixer came and. . .poof. . .it was fixed. Mr. Smasher then tried to peer in the front window to see if anyone was inside, but the weight of his body shattered the front glass. But you know how this goes, Mr. Fixer came and. . .poof. . .the window was set right.

Mr. Smasher let out a large puff of air and looked deflated. He sauntered toward the ravine, hungry and sad. But this time, Mr. Fixer was there and ready to help.

Mr. Fixer laid a gentle hand on Mr. Smasher’s shoulder. “Not everyone understands right now, but they will over time.” He smiled warmly. “Come on, let’s have dinner at my place. We’ll make sandwiches together—I might need your help opening the pickle jar.” Mr. Smasher hesitated, then nodded with a forming smile.

Together they walked to Mr. Fixer’s home, the sun setting behind them. That evening, as they shared a meal, Mr. Smasher’s heart felt lighter. For the first time, he didn’t feel like the clumsy giant everyone avoided—he felt like he was part of something good. He even helped Mr. Fixer open the stuck pickle jar.

From that day on, Mr. Smasher and Mr. Fixer became inseparable. Mr. Smasher learned to be gentle and to use his strength to help rather than harm. And whenever he stumbled and broke something by mistake, Mr. Fixer was always there, not just to repair what was broken but to remind Mr. Smasher that everyone deserves a second chance.

And so, the small town perched on the very edge of a large ravine learned that everyone is a fixer in their own way. We just have to take that leap of faith.

BETTER THOUGHT

Today's better thought: Focus on what you can fix, not what someone else breaks.

It’s easy to be blinded by everything going wrong.

We’re often quick to see the mistakes others make—whether in a relationship, a project, or even their political stance. When someone else’s actions leave a mess in our lives, the natural response is to focus on the wreckage. Our minds become magnets for the negative, drawn irresistibly to what’s broken.

But choosing to dwell on what we can repair isn’t about ignoring the damage or pretending it didn’t happen; it’s about taking responsibility for what’s within our control. Just like Mr. Fixer in the story, we have the ability to bring healing where there is hurt and to restore what has been lost.

This idea echoes the story of the shepherd who left the ninety-nine sheep to seek out the one that was lost. It’s not easy, and it goes against conventional wisdom. People might wonder what good it can actually accomplish. But the truth is, while we can’t control what others break, we can always control how we respond.

We can choose to be agents of healing or planters of bitterness. When we seek to restore and heal, we reflect the heart of God, who specializes in making all things new.

Today, let this thought circulate as you scroll through social media or overhear gossip at the office: What can I fix today?

BETTER ACTION

Today's better action: Reach out to someone who might feel like a Mr. Smasher—someone who’s struggling or feeling out of place.

There are more "Mr. Smashers" out there than you might think. People who feel lonely, scared, or insignificant often hide it just as well as you hide your own insecurities.

Don’t assume you know whether someone around you is struggling, and certainly don’t wait until they’re sobbing in a ravine to extend love. Here are some simple yet meaningful ways to reach out:

• Surprise them with their favorite snack: Nothing says "I care," like someone knowing your favorite treat and going out of their way to bring it to you.

• Send a handwritten note: Put down your phone. Take the time to write a note, sign your name, lick the envelope, and put a stamp on it. A handwritten note carries a personal touch that a text can’t match.

• Share a memory: Nostalgia is a powerful force. Remind them of a shared memory or a fun time you had together. If you need proof of nostalgia's power, just look at what Disney is doing.

• Start a simple, joint project: Whether it’s gardening or kicking off a book club, working on a shared goal can strengthen your connection.

• Drop a gift card in their mailbox: This combines the thoughtfulness of gifting their favorite snack with the personal touch of a handwritten note.

• Introduce them to someone new: Sometimes, introducing someone to a new friend or a person with similar interests can open doors to new relationships.

• Tell them you love them: It’s simple, it’s small, and it’s powerful. Yet, we do it less and less. Don’t underestimate the impact of those three words.

BECOMING A BETTER CHRISTIAN

When Christians get better, everyone gets better. Here are a few ways I am getting better this week.

• I started reading George Saunders’ A Swim in a Pond in the Rain. It is a fascinating book that offers one of the most accurate and beautiful depictions of what it is like to be inside the mind of a writer. In the book, Saunders analyzes seven classic Russian short stories in a way that is not overly technical but overtly beautiful.

• A couple of weeks ago, I exposed my love for ZOA. Today, I’m again exposing my drink of choice: Cherry Coke. I know, revolting. I don’t even like soda, but that artificial cherry flavor hits my palette just right.

• Here’s a quote that made me think this week. 

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