We Have a Lamp Inside Us — Light it Up With a Smile!

I’ve been on both sides of a smile — giving it and receiving it. I learned from first-hand experience the importance of a smile. I’ve been the “new girl”, already nervous about my first day on-the-job, and a kind and warm, smiling fellow employee meets me with the biggest smile and welcome that cuts right through all those jitters. I learned from that experience, when I was the employer or a fellow employee and absolutely knew I could be the “smiling” light the new employee needed.

My pastor in Tulsa told my husband and me that whenever he looked out at the crowd, he would purposely look for us because we were affirming and embracing him through our smiles. Oh, I’ve been on his side, too — looking out at the audience…. to find that smile worn by a loving and supportive listener.

Have you ever delivered a message or announcement to a group or crowd of people and did your best to overcome those mellow, icy stares or frowning faces looking back at you? You really do have to hand it to speakers, teachers, leaders, pastors, and ministers who can motivate audiences who are looking back at them with those seemingly unhappy, sullen and serious faces.

I know some folks just can’t help it. They have a natural frown and they’re not really unhappy. In fact, I often walk past a mirror or I see a photo that someone has taken of me that I didn’t get to pose for, and I think “Donna — be on purpose with smiling — think about it, and SMILE!” God has something to say about smiling:

Proverbs 15:13 “A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of the heart, the spirit is crushed.”

Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Psalm 34:5 “Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”

Besides God’s ideas, there are other good reasons to smile:
~ Smiling can make you happy (even when you’re not).
~ Smiling can help you de-stress.
~ Smiling can help you land a job.
~ Smiling can lead to laughter.
~ Smiling just feels good.

This isn’t profound, but I know that a smile says “In spite of my circumstances — good or bad — I am blessed and I win!” I’ll take that! I’m smiling BIG! Let’s give out smiles — it just may be the turn-around someone needs to brighten and lighten their day and load!