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!

Do We Reflect God's Glory?

Do We Reflect God's Glory?
Have you ever been on the other side of the audience -- the side of the speaker who is speaking to the audi? I have, and I’ve learned to focus on the smiling faces and those with the bright and glistening “I’m with you” eyes, and simply overlook those mellow faces looking back at me.

You've got to hand it to pastors, ministers, speakers and leaders who can motivate audiences that are looking back at them with those seemingly unhappy, sullen and serious faces. I know some folks who really aren't unhappy. They just can't help it, because they have a natural frown. 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 Who lives big in you, and SMILE!"

It really is about displaying a happy face that is the outward expression of the inner peace that dwells in us. Check out this scripture: “Our faces, then, are not covered. We all show the Lord’s glory and we are being changed to be like Him.” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

We were just at the Mount of Transfiguration (aka Mount Tabor) in Israel, and we were reminded of how Jesus’ appearance was changed. “His face became bright like the sun.” (Matthew 17:2).

As I read scriptures, I’m more than aware of how God was extraordinarily on purpose with making an impression on those who were in the presence of our Lord. In that case, it was His “Chosen 3” -- Peter, James and John (Sounds like a great name for a gospel singing trio, doesn’t it?), and that impression carried on to you and me by their experience. I believe the example of Christ’s glowing face is an example for you and I, to follow. Our face is the most public part of our bodies, covered less than any other area (well except for the coloring we girls add to the canvas ;-) ). It is also the most recognizable part of our bodies.

Just think about our schools' annuals or the church’s directory or the family photos on the walls of our homes – they are all photos of our faces….not our feet. God desires to take our faces, this exposed and memorable part of our bodies, and use them to reflect His glory, His goodness and His mercy.

Our worship, praise and adoration to the One who deserves worship, praise and adoration will indeed change the face of worshipers. Proverbs 17:22: "A merry heart does good like a medicine,,,,", and we just can't be merry and joyful without a big smile planted across our face. 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!"

Maybe it's time to do a check up from the neck up to see of we are exuding the love and joy of our risen Lord! Just maybe we are the only "Jesus" that others see, and I expect that He was full of the joy of the Lord! I love this photo that I like to think that our Lord looked like, so many times as He patiently led His Motley Crew of disciples!!

You Need a Class Clown in Your Life

The Class Clown -- oh, how I wanted to be her. She could make any situation funny -- without even trying. She was my roommate, Lois, at Canyonville Bible Academy in Oregon. She always had me, and others, in stitches. I have a daughter that's like that, too! To this day, she can still make me laugh at the same jokes and stories that I've heard countless times before. And then there's my granddaughter, Lexi, who is a chip off the ole' block. She, too, is a "Class Clown". Her Lexisms have made many FB posts by her mother and me.

I'm better today at creating humor than I was growing up. If there's something going on that seems way too serious, I'll probably make a silly comment that gives some comic relief. And, my attempts at humor have also faltered, as I'd forget the punch line of a joke, or spoken something that I thought was humorous and, as it turned out, my timing was waaay off! Comedic timing is essential!

My nature leans to being more serious, but when a comedian enters the room, I will gravitate to be near him/her. There is so much healing that can be derived from laughter. Yes, we need the serious ones around us -- the ones who make us think and help us to be better. But, we need those merry, jolly, and lighthearted comedians, too -- the ones who can pull out the humor, joy,and lightness, even in dark moments. I'll never forget Father Jack Gleason, who came to our home as soon as my sweet husband passed away. He didn't enter dismally -- he came in and shared with my daughter and I a hilarious situation he had gotten himself into during the day. At that time, we didn't need another sad face -- we needed "joy and light" medicine. Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart does good like a medicine"!

St. Paul said in I Corinthians 12:27 -- "You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." And, quite frankly, some folks are called to be the FUNNY BONE! If you are the funny bone -- go ahead and be funny. Celebrate your wit and humor and know you are a vital part of the family of God. And, if that isn’t you, and humor isn’t your natural "bent", celebrate the funny ones in your life. They need you and you need them.

And if you need some healing today? Laugh. Make someone else laugh. Bring laughter into your home, your life, your friendships. You need a Class Clown in your life because sometimes those are the exact people God uses to bring about the healing you’ve waited for.

So, did you hear the one about what the duck said to the comedian? A: "You quack me up!"