I don’t know why I recalled this interaction as I write this today. But it speaks to me of the power of a smile. The joy and light that it can bring to others. How one small movement can change the face from one worn with the heaviness that life can bring to one that attracts others like a moth to a flame.

Sometime in the last several years, I started smiling at people as I went about my errands. I would make eye contact with them and smile kindly. The most interesting things happened.

Sometimes, I would get a smile in return. Usually, there is a moment of hesitation as the person seems to process how to react to this smile. Other times, the person does a double take. They look away, maybe because they aren’t as comfortable with my intentional attention, but they always look back at me. Sometimes they nod in response. Sometimes they say something in acknowledgement. Sometimes they smile back.

I really enjoy doing this. It was kind of hard to figure out how to keep this up during the pandemic. I had to figure out how to smile with my eyes while wearing a mask. It worked though. Somehow, my smile made it to my eyes, and I was able to continue this fun experiment.

I don’t know how many people needed to see that smile that give. I know I needed a smile from a person one time. I remember feeling so lonely in my teenage years. What teenager doesn’t feel lonely?

I remember standing outside of my high school and having this thought to just run away and leave everything behind. I knew that this was the dumbest thing that I could do. That there would be no coming back from this decision that I was considering.

Just then a teenager from church came out of the doors and smiled at me. We didn’t speak to each other. They just smiled as they walked by. It was that smile that helped me to stay. It was through their smile that I was able to feel God’s love that day when I couldn’t feel it for myself.

My greatest desire as I do this thing that I do, is to bring hope and joy to someone else. As they struggle on their journey in this life, I hope that my small gesture of love; Me seeing them as they are, where they are at, and smiling with my love for them is enough to help them want to stay and endure a little more. It is just a smile. But it is also an acknowledgement of love. His love.

We are a mixed-race family. My daughter is now old enough to notice the people that watch us as we go about our day. We are watched a LOT. I have gotten used to it as the years have gone by and I forget sometimes. She is just learning that this can feel a little uncomfortable sometimes.

It’s ok. I’ve always been different from the rest of my peers. I used to hate it. Now I embrace all of those differences. God meant for that to be the case for me. I am more thankful for it now.

We had a family discussion about this. We talked about how our family was meant to stand out. As we spoke of this, you could feel the spirit confirm this to our family. It was such a reverent moment. It was powerful. I think it was so that my daughter could know for herself that it is ok for strangers to watch us as we go about our life. God is guiding us so that we can be a light to others.

I am so grateful for the ability to have these confirmations from Him. I know that He loves each of us. I know that He loves and watches over my family. I know that he cheers us on when we thrive in righteous living. I also know that He sends angels to us to help us through the hard times when we He feels so distant as well.

He loves you. He knows you. Look for Him. Talk to Him. Ask Him to confirm this to you. Then wait patiently. With your whole heart. Watch for angels on earth to send you a message from Him. It will happen.