You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart and good news refreshes the body." Proverbs 15:30

I remember my very first dance recital. I had just turned eight years old. Dressed in a little black tutu and lace accessories, I tippity tapped onstage to this wonderful song from the musical, "Annie". Many times, over the years, I have found myself thinking back to the words from this tune, "...it's what you wear from ear to ear and not from head to toe, that matters..."

Last week, I stopped to run some errands and found myself in many lines and not making near the progress I had hoped in the brief window of time allotted for such tasks. I prayed to God to find me the correct parking spot and to allow time to be multiplied, so that I might complete my overzealous list. Line after line, I encountered grumpy sales person upon grumpy salesperson. In an attempt to eliminate my own growing grumpitude, I prayed for each person. At my very last stop, a young woman, tired, leaning, sad...she had a huge line and as she called for assistance, none came. Customers complained and scowled at the cashier. My heart ached for her. As I approached, I smiled and decidedly shared chit chat with her, unrealted to her job or business. Finally, I offered that I would pray for her and I thanked her for doing her job well. Her smile, that followed, could have lit an entire room; it was beautiful. It reminded me how a simple smile can change the landscape of one's day.

I work in a Christian school. It is a blessing to serve the Lord while doing work that I love. We begin our day in prayer. Some days the requests and petitions far outweigh the praises, but the truth remains, there are still praises. It is a lovely way to remind our hearts to smile, on the inside AND on the outside. We depart ready to share the joy of the Lord. This was particularly special recently when a child, hurting, wounded and needing comfort encountered me in the hallway and in spite of his pain, he wrapped his arms around me saying, "I always know you are okay with me Mrs. Beals...your eyes are always smiling." What a precious, precious affirmation for the effect of our smile for others, whether our mouth, our voice or our eyes do the smiling.

These things have I spoken to you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 15:11

When you dress this morning, check your own heart. Have you worn your smile? Are you ready to share your joy in the Lord? I sure hope so...

Longings

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to shop for a child? Give a gift to a toddler and chances are good that they will be more interested in the box than the pricey toy. When that happens you may redirect the child's attention to the toy. This may require persistence on your part, and even removal of the box but eventually the child is focused on the toy. It becomes one of their favorite toys for a while, then they lose interest in it all together. That toy gets pushed aside while they make way for new toys that peak their interest for a little while until they become bored with those as well. Before you know it the child has a room full of toys that they never play with. Does that sound familiar to you?

In the eyes of that little toddler, the box brought more interest and joy than the pricey toy. The box is the thing that invites the imagination of the child to soar. In a sense, redirecting their focus to the toy is like teaching them to focus on material value rather than on the simple joy. Between a parent's, grandparent's, or other family members' desire to bring happiness to a child, and a retailers desire to sell more stuff, it is easy for a child to have too much.

He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet. Proverbs 27:7

We have all had to shop for someone who seems to already have everything they need or want, except for things that are not in our allotted budget for their gift. While the  gift may be appreciated, it most likely won't bring that sense of enjoyment that the we would like it to. The same can be true of our children if they have all the latest and greatest toys and gadgets on the market we may be depriving them of the delight that comes with receiving something that has been longed for.

That is the way God works in our lives. He doesn't hand us everything we want but when it is His plan to give it, He often has us wait and allows us to long for it so that when He does give us that gift, our joy will be much greater than when we first asked for it. Whatever the longing is, whether necessity, ministry, companionship, or enjoyment, His perfect timing will bring the most joy to His child.

My soul, wait silently for God alone,For my expectation is from Him. Psalm 62:5

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11