You know that I’m not a writer. Yes, I write things down, but my true calling is “teacher.” I love taking subjects apart, thinking about students and packaging the subject’s content into bits and pieces that students understand. Then, if I do it right, those bits and pieces get strung together, helping facts and concepts turn into knowledge.

Today, as I ran errands, I was thinking of subjects for today’s musings and I got a six solid ideas. As I always do, I prayed, asking God to lead my thinking. All six of those ideas died quickly. Perhaps the Lord will lead me to them on another day.

And then I saw these smiling faces at the end of the toy aisle at Walmart. I passed by the men and said “Isn’t this just the best day possible?” and continued on my way.

(Now, I often talk with people I don’t know. Recently I had quite an exchange with a young woman at another Walmart. At first I was worried at her response and then God changed the dynamics of our conversation and things turned sweet. But someday, someone may report me to Walmart management and I will find myself being escorted out. You never know!)

But today, the smiles on the faces of these two gentlemen grabbed my attention. I stopped, did a u-turn in the aisle and returned to them.

Perhaps they were thinking as I came toward them “That crazy lady is coming back; I’m sure glad you are with me.” But they smiled as I asked them “Are you helping kids shop?” Their smiles got bigger and replied that they were. I was not surprised. Their organization does great charitable work and letting kids shop (using the organization’s money) the weekend before Christmas was just something that they would do.

I told them that their activity was so cool and asked them for a picture. They said yes and posed for a quick snap. We shared “God bless you’s” and I continued on my way.

A positive word to a stranger can change your (and their) day.

• When I walk alone through a parking lot, I will often say “hello” to a person who looks a little suspicious. Maybe it is my “teacher” look but their demeanor changes and I feel safer.
• I try to say “good morning” or “good afternoon” to clerks and security folks when I get a chance. When you add a happy lilt to your voice and a smile on your face, you can change their day.
• When I am in a line, behind a frustrated mom or dad with a crying, I will often smile and say “Love to hear babies sing. You are doing a great job.” And then I quickly become interested in something in my purse in case the parent is ready to smack someone and I am a handy target. Most often, though, that weary parent will strike up conversation.

Years ago, I was working as a facilitator with a group of military and civilian folks. One of the topics was the work environment. In a survey, the organization had commented that one of the things that would help them feel more connected would be the presence of senior leaders in their working spaces. The second most senior individual took this issue for action. Every time they left the building, they would walk briskly with their head down, up and down the hallways. They were apparently unclear on the concept. Our physical presence isn’t what folks want; they want our heart and mind in the conversation too.

Look again at the picture of my new new friends. Their attire says who they represent. They are in the Walmart toy area the Saturday before Christmas. And they are smiling. It’s impossible to miss what they are doing.

So, what about us?

• Does the suspicious person in the parking lot think us to be an easy target as we look scared, clutching our jacket and averting their glance?
• Does that family member know what we are thinking about them by the way we are looking or not looking at them?
• Can we repeat the story that our new friend just told us?

Or, are you the one with the sincere smile, the warm hug, the one who is looking like they are celebrating Christmas, the birth of Jesus?

Here’s your homework: Smile!! Reflect the light of our Lord!!

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24)