A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. Proverbs 15:30
Mike and I have discussed on different occasions how nice it would be to live like the Jetsons. Remember the cosmic cartoon? They stood on a conveyor belt in their futuristic jammies and within seconds appeared on the other end dressed and ready to start their day. Now that would be cool.
Examining the newest addition to my collection of wrinkles recently, it occurred to me they look much better when I add a smile. Every morning I shower (OK, maybe that doesn't happen every day), dress, add the make-up, do the hair and head out to face the day. The last thing I need to "put on" each morning is a smile. Not feeling too cheerful? Proverbs promises us that a cheerful look brings joy to the heart. One of my mottos is "Fake it 'til you make it." I may not be feeling too cheerful, but as I add the last ingredient to my morning routine, I will begin to feel the smile seeping into my spirit. Imagine the impact the cheerful look will have on your hubby and children.
I never realized how little I smile until my 4th child began commenting with joyful surprise, "Mom, you're smiling!" or "You're happy!" It was very convicting! I've had to make a more concerted effort for her sake (if not my own and everybody else's) to show my pleasure and happiness on my face, with a smile. It really does make a difference.
Dear Angela,
It's wonderful to hear from you after all this time. I did drop by for awhile to check out how the move had gone, but then the busy season hit and I've only had time for the occasional quick post.
I am glad that busyness usually hits for only short seasons. Once this week is over I will hopefully get to slow down and collect my thoughts. I am learning to treasure solitude and silence and the opportunities to dwell deeply on my relationship with God.
Praying peace and joy over your home today. God is good!
Jan
Yea! It's so nice to have you back! I've been missing you. I'm so glad you are moved and getting settled. I think of you and pray for you often. How does your family like Texas? A little hot right now, huh?
Well, I am very guilty of not smiling often. Now, don't get me wrong, I do smile and we definitely laugh a LOT in our house, but generally when I'm going on with my day I look like a big grump. Then I wonder why some little people around here have bad attitudes. Though there are times when I've allowed certain bad attitudes to rob me of my joy, I need to just smile and say, "Victory!" I saw a woman on Martha Stewart who said to put a pencil between your teeth (you basically have to try to keep your lips from touching it) and it sort of gets you to smile more. When things are crazy here and I'm ready to throttle the children, hubby says, "You're still happy...right??" I say, "Yep, I sure am. Let me get my pencil." Of course it doesn't take much to get to me smile, I just need to remember to. Why shouldn't we, after all, aren't we children of the King of Kings?!
Jennifer :)
Thanks for the reminder to smile. I am determined to make that a priority for each day.
Thanks for your prayers for our situation too. I agree 100% with your comment on my blog and it is our desire to be the example of forgiveness, mercy, and grace, and love to our daughter and her boyfriend at this time. We just get looked down on for doing that by other family members and since we all live close to one another, it is hard, but we will do what is right and let God deal with the others in His timing.
Thanks again for your prayers. I can't tell you how much that means to us right now.
How true! In our home, we've been realizing that smiling really does work-I need to make sure that I make that choice, instead responding with the same bad attitude (that flesh, I tell ya!)---oh, how different the day can turn out!
Have a blessed day! Thanks!
Yes, this is so true. I have noticed that during the real difficult moments in life, if I smile things/people respond. It makes life a bit easier. I can't think of anything sweeter to a child then when we smile back at them especially in a difficult moment.
The daily, sometimes hourly, musings of a homeschooling mom of four surviving on prayer, friendship and lots of Starbucks. Some days my cup runs over and some days it all spills out the cracks...and I wouldn't have it any other way.
