Starting with work. In the last 3 years I've changed work stations four times. I've been moved into two offices and had more duties added to my daily routine. Now I find myself right back at the same desk where I started many years ago. Did I get demoted? Nope. Apparently it has to do with the fact that I smile.....like all the time. And a smile makes a big difference.
Smiling. That got me thinking. Ever wonder what's behind some one's smile? I've been accused of smiling and even laughing at times when most people would be doing anything but. Like the time I was on a float trip many, many, MANY years ago. I was tired, cold, soaked from being tumped over, and I wanted off that river. But no one believed me because I was smiled when I sternly demanded "get me off this river!".
The last few months, people have told me that they can see the joy in my eyes again. They could see my smile all long. But they couldn't see the joy. There is so much more to a smile that just a physical action. People like to talk. I love to hear their stories. Their testimonies. The amazing awful things God has brought them through. And I've noticed that, if they trust Him, they are usually smiling while they are telling their stories. I find that fascinating.
Back to this moving thing. I've got several kids moving this summer. In fact I spent last Saturday helping kids move. The apartment that had been chosen for them over two years ago. This apartment looked great on the outside but has been a nightmare. From maintenance issues to you name it, it has been horrible. Not at all what was promised when the lease was originally signed.
Well Saturday we got things moving on down the road. There I was, packing one car, then the next car and the next. Until my car door wouldn't unlock. With my hands full, in 100 plus degree heat index weather, I stepped just wrong off the curb. And that's when it happened. I sprained my ankle. Right there in front of neighbors and everything.
We hadn't even gotten one piece of furniture moved and here I was, broken down! But I wasn't going to let it get to me. I chose to limp through the pain and continue moving right on down the line. Til I bumped the back of my hand just wrong and a very sore knot immediately rose up, making it difficult for me to use my hand.
Did I let it get me down? Of course not! Did I tell everyone and show off my injuries? You know I did! And the next day at church, I limped in. When it came time to shake hands, I found out my hand was bruised right where people put their thumbs when shaking hands. A couple of those people almost took me down and didn't even know it. Why didn't they know? Because I smiled. At that made all the difference.
