‍When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them.  Job 29:24 NIV

The room was 1000 degrees.  I may be exaggerating, but not by much.  Even though we were at a fun event with food, beautiful displays and lots of giveaways, the hot, crowded room seemed to make people a bit grumpy.

My sister and I were working a booth as vendors for a home based business, and I had made food samples for customers.  I was giving away free food and smiling.  My food was chocolate mousse!  Still, some people were hot and grumpy and others didn't take the mousse because of food allergies or aversions.  There were times I felt a little grumpy myself!

Then I noticed a change in the crowd.  Some of them started breaking into silly grins and waving while looking over my shoulder.  It had nothing to do with mousse.  It had everything to do with my precious 4 month old niece who has an infectious grin and startling blue eyes.  She will stop you in your tracks and you just need to smile back at her!  Even in a roasting hot, crowded room where people are refusing to eat yummy chocolate mousse, her smile will melt your heart.

Isn't that how our smile should make others feel?  Just so great that we forget about our surroundings.  Super smiles aren't just for babies either.  As grown-ups, we have the ability to pair our super smiles with hugs and kind encouraging words.  

I so want my smile to be like that. I want people to feel like they've been hugged, just from a smile.  I certainly think as Jesus was teaching the crowds, he didn't sneer at them.  He didn’t snarl when he talked about salvation.  He wasn't grimacing when he imparted grace.  I believed He smiled, and with that smile He looked into people’s hearts and loved them.

We certainly can't see into people’s hearts, but we can see their faces.  We can see pain, sadness and hurt.  Sometimes, all it takes is a smile to show that we care.

Do you find it difficult to smile when in the midst of a stressful and trying time?  

I do too!  Fake smiles are not what the world needs, but genuine smiles from a contented heart that is happy in Jesus.  Those smiles are what will encourage and minister to others.

Oh Lord, thank You for true, genuine, happy smiles that show You reside in my heart.  Please help me to share freely the joy that You have given to me with a world that is hurting and desperately needs hope.  May someone come along today who just needs a smile and who sees that I am Your child.  Maybe through just that small encounter they will come to know You and trust You.  Please help me to show joy today in Your name, amen.

‍