A Smile

"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance" Prov 15:13.

"The light of the eye rejoiceth the heart" Prov 15:30.

A happy disposition - joyful heart - is the ABC of Christianity (Always be Cheerful) - Berkeley.

There are several expressions by different writers worthy of our attention. eg.

A Smile is worth more than Face Value'You cannot laugh without first a smile A smile is the beginning of Laughter and promotes friendship, and introduces cheerfulness and happiness into our life.

A Smile is the welcome mat at the doorway of Kindness.

Solomon Huber wrote these words:-.

“A Smile costs nothing but creates much. It enriches those who receive without impoverishing those who give. It happens in a flash and the memory of it sometimes lasts for ever. None are so rich they can get along without it, and none so poor but are richer for its benefits. It creates happiness in the home, fosters goodwill in a business and is the countersign of friends. It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and nature's best antidote for trouble. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is no earthly good to anybody until it is given away. Nobody needs a smile so much as those who have none left to give. Smiling is so important- it reflects our inner self the radiance of our being - the Joy in our heart”.

Our Hymn says:- "Why should His people now be sad? None have such reason to be glad as reconciled to God." Why so often do we appear sad, burdened down with care and the concerns of life?

Psalm 1:1... begins with the theme of happiness....Happy is the man that WALKETH not in the COUNSELS of the UNGODLY nor STANDETH in the WAY of SINNERS nor SITTETH in the seat of the SCORNFUL".

I believe we can relate to Jonah, a man so human, he knew the right thing to do and what was required of him. Jonah tried to run away from his problems rather than face up to his responsibilities. I believe GOD quietly smiled to Himself as he prepared a large fish to swallow Jonah. God did not want to destroy Jonah because He loved him even as He loves us and forgives our foolish ways. We think we have the matter in hand but it is God who is in control of the situation and for which we are eternally thankful.

"God careth for you" (Peter). In Psalm 4: 7 we read, "Thou has put gladness in my heart". Psalm 51:8... "Make me to hear joy and gladness that the bones which thou has broken may rejoice”. Whatever our burden in life of anxiety and care, the Bible tells us "Joy cometh in the morning".

The prophecy of the future is one of joy and blessedness.. Isa 51: 11... We shall receive everlasting joy we shall obtain gladness...We shall rejoice and be glad in the LORD.

A good definition:

"A SMILE IS THE SHORTEST DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE".

"SMILE AND THE WHOLE WORLD SMILES WITH YOU, WEEP- AND YOU WEEP ALONE”.

How true are these words Smile at someone and they smile back- the quickest way to make friends.

In south-east Asia you will find really happy people who have nothing, materially speaking, but they can afford to smile it costs them nothing but what a wonderful effect it has on themselves and on other people. To be greeted with friendly faces and captivating smiles makes us feel better also.

"Most smiles are started by another smile and It increases your face value". J G Whittier wrote, “To worship rightly is to love each other, each smile, a Hymn, each timely deed a PRAYER".

What greater beauty can you find than the TRUTH. What greater joy than to know that God loves us, with a Kingdom prepared from the foundation of the earth.

None of us has reached the maximum in our spiritual potential. We all have a good deal to offer our Heavenly Father, who has given us each one the gift of love in JESUS.

May I leave this thought with you as we strive to be better servants of the LORD.

"GOD'S GIFT TO YOU IS WHAT YOU ARE. YOUR GIFT TO GOD IS WHAT YOU BECOME.

Bro Andrew Lucas (Australia)