Smile! God Loves You!

Smile! God Loves You!

I always used to think this was such a corny 'Sunday School' phrase! I mean, of course God loves me... I know that. But, it doesn't mean I'm going to smile all my days. And, unfortunately, when in the depths of sadness or anger, a giant yellow blob cannot brighten my spirits.

But, today I had a random everyday experience that led to a tiny seedling of a thought that turned into a bit of a burden on my heart. Thus, the blog post.

While delivering some parts for work today, I passed Central Market downtown. I had some extra time, so I stopped and got a coffee and some doughnuts to take back for my co-workers. I parked along Philadelphia Street and when I went to leave, the traffic was pretty heavy. While I was in the market, a car had parked behind me and was quite close. I did a 37-point maneuver to get out of the parking space and was finally clear to pull out. I was watching in my mirrors for a break in the traffic. Finally!

Right as I start to go, a car pulls up RIGHT next to me and stops. They park there to let someone out. My first reaction is to yell, "Hello!? Can't you see I'm trying to pull out here?!" But, of course I do not. Then I realized that, in the grand scheme of my day, week, month, year, life... it didn't matter if I sat there for two more minutes.

It occurred to me that most people would honk or yell obscenities at the double-parker. They would get annoyed and angry. They would let it ruin their mood, their coffee, their morning commute. I could do this too, but what good would it do. Sure, it was inconsiderate of the person to stop right there, but chances are, they didn't even notice I was trying to pull out.

As the woman struggled to get out of the passenger seat quickly with all of her bags and a drink in her hand, I noticed she looked sad. She came around the car and was looking toward me.

I smiled. And she smiled. It was the most beautiful smile, lighting up her tired, harried face. And my seedling thought was born...

I should not smile at others because God loves me, but because God loves them. I should not smile because God's love is something I keep in my own heart (although I have it there), but because I want others to know and have His love as well. I have always been a strong believer (although, unfortunately not always a strong practitioner) of the concept of sharing God's love through demonstration rather than words. My hope for my life is that others will see God's love through me and the way I treat them. Even if it's only a smile through a car window in downtown traffic...

From now on, I will smile because God loves me.

And, I will smile to let His love out!!