Smile!
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22
Two friends and I attended a lay witness weekend. On Sunday, my friends surprised the congregation by dressing up as clowns. When the service was over we hit the road … the ladies still adorned in their clown makeup.
“Think we could stop at the next rest area?” One of the women wiggled in her seat.
“Sure. We’ll stop as soon as we find one,” I said.
Before long REST AREA 1 MILE came into view and everyone cheered. When we stopped, my clown buddies walked around as if their appearance was normal. However, the reaction from on-lookers was anything but normal. As people emerged from the rest rooms, they noticed the clowns. Huge smiles formed and the atmosphere filled with joy. A few folks made friendly jokes, some wanted pictures, while others simply waved.
Proverbs teaches us cheerfulness is good medicine. Solomon understood how infectious laughter and joy could be, and he encouraged those around him who looked at life through sour eyes, to enjoy the healing medicine found in happiness.
I wondered how I could uplift others as I pass by them. I don’t need to become a clown, but I can wear a simple smile. Smiling requires no talent, but the effects can change someone’s day. It puts others at ease, brings freedom, and builds confidence for me and those I come in contact with.
Stop by a mirror. Look at the reflection and decide if it shares a cheerful heart or dried up bones.
Prayer: Father, help us reveal our inward hope with an outward smile. Amen.
Photo courtesy of microsoft images.
Mary Jane Downs is a teacher, speaker, and writer of poems, short stories, devotionals, and children’s stories. She has been published in Awe Magazine, InspiredMoms.com, Writer’s Advance! Boot Camp blog, Schoolbox.com, The Muffin Blog and has judged the weekly writer’s contests for Faithwriters.com to name a few. Mary Jane currently has a blog of her own called Joy in the Morning which can be found at www.maryjanewrites.com. Contact Mary Jane at maryjanewrites@gmail.com.
Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!