What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are
to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along
life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.”
― Joseph Addison
― Joseph Addison
Whenever I go to the store, I am
constantly amazed at how many angry/depressed/empty faces there are
around me. Especially when right in front of them are five of the
cutest kids to ever walk the planet! I mean, lets just start with the
littlest....have you seen this guy? How can you look at a three year
old boy and scowl. He's not screaming. He's just chilling, looking
ridiculously adorable. Yet the grumpiness is strong. Ok, but let's
leave the munchkins out of it. Let's say it was just me. Plain old
me. And you met eyes with me. What would you do? I will tell you what
most people do. Nothing. They look at me like I was a sack of
potatoes. Or paint on the wall. Or like I was totally invisible.
People look right at my eyes and then look down as if I wasn't there
at all. Women, men, old, young, this condition knows no boundaries.
No one smiles anymore in South Florida. But I do. I am on a smiling
mission. Mostly because I am acutely aware that I have a million and
one things to smile about. Even on a day like today, when nothing
seemed to go the way it was supposed to, the list of things I have to
be thankful for is endless, number one being I know Jesus, the One
that holds my future. Why wouldn't I smile? Now hear me on this, I
know it is hard to smile in a Wal-mart, or Target, or even Aldi. ;)
Today I spent the first 20 minutes at Target in the restrooms,
between three little children that apparently had too many raisins.
Twenty minutes. But then, once I got past that adventure, I saw this
sweet blond mommy at the checkout, with a three year old, one year
old, and baby twins. Lord have mercy. And I smiled at her, and told
her what a beautiful family she had. And she smiled back. Two
mommies, having a conversation through a smile across a room.
Ahhhhhhh. It's a great feeling when people smile back. It's a
connection. You can feel it in your heart. Especially in south
Florida. Because it's a 50/50 shot (or less) that someone will
actually smile back at you.
When it comes to shopping malls, or
super stores, there are three levels of miserable people, as far as I
am concerned.
There is level 1- just scowling and grimacing, or blank stares...they may glance at me or my children, but there is no change in expression, unless it is to scowl more.
Then level 2- Those that look right at
my eyeballs, and then look away as if it never happened at which
point I start contemplating the probability that I am actually
invisible.
Then def-con level 3- Those that look
right at my eyeballs long enough for me to eek out a smile and THEN
they look away. Zero response. Who doesn't smile at a smile?
Here is my disclaimer. There is a lot
of pain and tragedy in the world. Horrible, unthinkable events are
occurring as I type. My heart is grieved by this and I am not saying
that all should walk around with a stupid grin on their face. But,
man, the percentages of grumbly faces surely cannot reflect the
percentages of people in the midst of personal tragedy. Most of these
solemn sour pusses are just tired of life.
Proverbs 15:13
A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance,But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
We are entering a season that for most
is a joyous time. But for some it is a very hard time. If you are a
believer, and your heart is filled with joy, man, now is the time to
let that light shine. Because although I mentioned three levels of
miserable people, I left my favorite level till last.
Level 1/2- These people have the tell
tale long face, but upon receiving your smile, their face lights up,
like they didn't know people still smiled. I am telling you. I see
this one A LOT! And there is nothing like it. It's authentic and
inspiring, and it brings to life all the quotes I presented to you
today. Take the smile challenge and see how many people you can smile
at when you are out and about. Like a big “from your heart”
smile. And if you can't, if you are the weary one. Jesus has this
invitation for you. "Come to Me, all who
are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Take
Him up on it. Every day.
