Smile Please!

I once took part in a test to discover my personality type. It wasn't very conclusive, except that 'melancholic' formed a large chunk of me. There are positive aspects to that of course. It's how God made me and I accept 'me!'.

However, it was one of our grandaughter's recent remarks that made think again. I was reading her a bedtime story, when she cocked her head and looked into my eyes. "Grandad," she said casually, "you have a sad face!" OK, they had been studying facial expressions at school, but she is very perceptive for a six-year old.

I've been told I have a nice smile, when I do smile, so I decided to practice it more often. I had a smile day, to see what that would bring about. I smiled at Jim down the road and again in the Post Office, but it was in the supermarket where it really took off. I made sure it was a 'proper' smile and not something that could be mistaken for a leer. More what I would call a 'heart smile!' The result was surprising. Shopping took a lot longer that day. Conversations were initiated as people opened up in the chilled foods and there was even a loving pat on the shoulder at the deli counter. It really brightened up the long wait at the checkout, except for one very old dear, who quickly turned her head, just in case I was up to 'something!'

Not very spiritual, you may ask? As Christians, Jesus lives in us by His Spirit, so let's smile and let Him out and make someone's day. You never know where that may lead!

"A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face," Proverbs 15:13 The Message Bible

"When I smiled at them, they could hardly believe it; their faces lit up, their troubles took wing!" Job 29:24 The Message Bible