Choose to Smile

Yesterday I decided we would focus on a simple choice, choosing to smile. This morning at 6:30 a.m., when my family of six was suppose to be leaving for school, our van was completely dead. It was too early and there was really no time to call for help. The six of us piled in our little Chevy Aveo; wheelchair, backpacks and all. So, before the sun rose this morning, I had a choice to make. And I had to choose to smile and almost laugh. (And had a family prayer because four kids touching for 45 minutes in a backseat could be dangerous.)

So why should I choose to smile? I have a right to be frustrated. Would it matter if I was frowning or smiling? My choosing to smile would have these results:

1. My kids, including my teenager, would stay calm and for the most part in pretty good spirits for sharing a little backseat.

2. As I began my day subbing, no one would know I had a bad morning. My smile may make them have a better day.

3. I cannot stay in a bad mood or let my stress take charge of my day if I am finding a reason to smile.

4. If I am going to get wrinkles, I do not want them to be ones from frowning.

5. Nobody wants to hear about an amazing God from someone who always has a frown or a grimace.

6. I should choose to smile because I am a sinner saved by grace and have a Heavenly Father who loves me.

It is Monday. Something will probably happen to ruin your day or week. But this time you will choose to still smile. Your face can show the world your stress or your face can show others the joy you have in Christ. Let's choose to smile :):):):):):):)


This is the passage I read this morning. The key verse was 34:19. It made me smile.

"1 I will extol the LORD at all times;

his praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD;

let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;

let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;

their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;

he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,

and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;

blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints,

for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,

but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Whoever of you loves life

and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil

and your lips from speaking lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;

seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous

and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,

to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;

he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles,

but the LORD delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,

not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked;

the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems his servants;

no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him."

Psalm 34