What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. They are but trifles, to be sure, but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.
The practice of one particular church was to dismiss the children in the Sunday morning service just prior to the sermon. The children would all march forward in a makeshift processional and sing a song as they passed the pulpit on their way to hear a sermon prepared just for them. The pastor enjoyed this part of the service. He made it a point to smile at each child and to receive a smile in return.
To his surprise, one morning a curly-headed four-year-old girl ran out of the procession and threw herself into her mother's arms, sobbing deeply. The pastor sought out the mother after the service to see what had happened. The child had told her, "I smiled at God, but He didn't smile back."
The pastor's heart sank. He had failed to smile and her joy had turned to torment.
We may think our smiles do not represent God to another person, but they just might! Genuine smiles are a sign of affirmation, appreciation, and love.
Your smile can bring hope and change the countenance of someone today. Give it a try.
A happy heart makes the face cheerful.
Proverbs 15:13
From God's Little Devotional Book for Women
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