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| Photo Credit |
Today...
...when the sun dances on your eyelashes, and you stretch in your beautiful lace nightgown, and the morning welcomes you with open arms, it’s easy to smile.
When your friends bring you gifts just because, and your family asks how they can best lighten your load, it’s easy to smile.
When a tall stranger holds the door open for you, it’s easy to smile.
When your window is down, your favorite station is filling the car, and the wind is tousling your hair, it’s easy to smile.
When you feel loved and needed and wanted and admired, it’s easy to smile.
When everything is going your way, it’s easy to smile.
When life is all those things and it’s easy to smile, the world shrugs their shoulders. Those smiles are still beautiful, and still tell a beautiful story, but it’s all too easy for the world to miss that story.
The next morning ...
...when the thunder wakes you with a start and you groggily roll out of bed at an hour too early to claim the name “morning,” it’s easy to gripe.
When your friends don’t return your messages and your family brings their sorrows to you, it’s easy to cry.
When a stranger cuts you off on the road, it’s easy to seethe.
When your window won’t roll up, your favorite station is begging for money, and the wind ruins your new ‘do, it’s easy to fume.
When you feel disregared and overworked and underpaid and unappreciated, it’s easy to sulk.
When everything is going terribly wrong all at one time, it’s easy to give up.
When life is all those things and it’s easy to give up, but you smile anyway, that smile is priceless.
Without warning the world sits up.
They stare.
They wonder.
They have never seen anything like it.
And they have no explanation.
They know there is nothing particularly noble in smiling when your day is going swimmingly. But when you’re drowning, and you smile anyways, that is Christ in you, the hope of glory {Colossians 1:27}. That is a resplendently beautiful sight.
Photo Credit: Brandon Warren
That is so beautiful. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLauren, I loved this post! It's so true we are to be "different" and to respond differently than those without Christ, not because of who we are, but because of Christ in us, who gives us a reason to smile in all circumstances. This reminds me of Sunday's sermon on Joseph, who chose to be a blessing, especially in difficult times, and how God blessed and promoted him - making his life a blessing to many.
ReplyDeleteLove this Lo. Such an encouragement for me today.
ReplyDeleteThere’s a sign I have that says: let your smile change the world but don't let the world change your smile. Through all the things that would want to make us discouraged because of the way (Numbers 21:4) we have so much to be thankful for, so many things that the Lord has blessed us with that we really don't have too much to fret about. When you are looking at what Christ has done for you. When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile.
ReplyDeleteSimple living and loving always...sweet post Lauren.
ReplyDeleteSo, so true! Awhile ago our family was reading a lot about joy. And rejoicing. And keeping that joy in hard times. I know how it feels, and a few times I have succeeded with the Lord's help to put on a cheerful face! But it sure isn't easy. Thank you for the encouragement and the great reminder.
ReplyDelete~Emily
I love this post Lauren! So true.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this encouragement to take joy in the midst of difficulties.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of one of my favorite verses: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thes 5:17
Lauren, thank you! I needed that today! I have been selfishly looking in at all my problems, blaming my family, sulking, and crabbing....and then I read this! Time to smile! Thank you for reminding me that my joy is found in Jesus- not family or circumstances or anything else :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post Lauren, and the photo is neat too. : )
ReplyDeleteI echo that this is beautiful! It is both encouraging and challenging and it rings with truth!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for typing down and sharing your thoughts, Lauren! I too often will have a thought, type it down (if I'm smart) and then never share it with anybody even when I know it would/could be a blessing or encouragement to them. I commend you for having typed and shared this post! May the Lord bless you for having blessed and challenged us! <3
With all sincerity and redundancy :-) Beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful <3
ReplyDeleteDear Lauren & Mikaela,
ReplyDeleteI looked for your blog after you mentioned it at the roundtable at the CH conference (with Cecily). I've already been really encouraged! Thank you, and God bless you.
- Madison Lyerla
(Spokane)