SMILE
28th Dec 2022
I was given a book this Christmas “A gift of joy and hope” by Pope Francis, and as I opened its pages, the first sentence said, “My wish can be summed up in one word: “Smile.” It continued, “When we look at a baby , we smile.” “Jesus is God’s smile. Jesus came to us to reveal the love of the heavenly Father….”
I remember an incident many years ago when our 3 year old granddaughter Gillian came up to me and said, “Grandpa, are you cross with me?” “No!” I replied immediately. She then said, “Please smile!”
A smile is very powerful, it conveys warmth, approval and a desire to interact with the person receiving the smile. In the days before Job’s life went ‘pear shaped’ he testified of his former life, “Men listened to me expectantly…. They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as spring rain. When I smiled at them they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them.” (Job 29:21-24)
There is something wonderful about giving someone a smile and also of receiving a smile. It expresses friendship and a willingness to engage in conversation. It opens the door for us to have a meaningful interaction with others. In times past when out walking we would always greet those coming the other way with a smile and a greeting. I well remember walking in the mountains in Austria, and it was considered very rude if you did not greet those coming the other way with a “Gross Gott.” which was an old term for "Good bless you." I have found recently that there is a reluctance in others to make eye contact as we pass each other when out walking. This is very sad.
We have just moved and are getting to meet our neighbours, those nearest to us we have already interacted with, but as we drive out of our neighbourhood we are smiling at those we have yet to meet.
Your smile is very powerful, what you say with your face is very important. Your smile will bless others and will also open up the way to have meaningful conversations, and in particular share your faith.
So make 2023 - “The year of the smile.”
by Charles Sibthorpe
