Sharing a Smile
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart. Proverbs 15:30 (NLT)
My favorite dogs in the world are boxers and Frenchies. They melt and steal my heart every single time. Perhaps it is the mischief in their eyes that makes me identify and giggle. I have been known to stop my car and ask the owner, “Can I just love on your dog for a minute?” Usually, the answer is yes and that little nub on their behind begins to move furiously from side to side. I get my doggie fix! Lori Hatcher, (All God’s Creatures) shares a heart-warming devotion to make you smile.
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My Granddog, Halsey, is a black brindle “Frenchie”—a French bulldog—with huge bat-like ears. Because he belongs to my navel officer son-in-law and oldest daughter, he’s appropriately named for one of the navy’s five-star fleet admirals.
Hasley has quite a fan base in the neighborhood where they live. On walks, my daughter says they seldom go more than a block without someone commenting, “Oh my gosh! He’s so CUTE!” Like many dogs, Halsey hates the rain. Sometimes my daughter and son-in-law find it challenging to coax him outdoors for a potty break.
This is why, when I spotted a display of doggy raincoats in a store, I knew I had to buy one for Halsey. But which one? I finally chose a ladybug-red one with black spots. The color would compliment his black fur. And the ladybug spots? I couldn’t wait to hear how Halsey liked his new outerwear.
My daughter called a few days later with a report. “Halsey’s not really crazy about wearing it,” she said, “but oh, my gosh, the reactions we get when people see him are worth it. Everyone smiles.”
I don’t have a cute Frenchie with a ladybug raincoat, but I, too, have the power to make people smile. Recently, I prayed with an anxious dental patient at the office where I work. I mailed a cheerful card to a sick friend. I texted a hope-filled Bible verse to a neighbor who’s going through a challenging season. Something as simple as smiling at a stranger as we pass in the store can infuse a little sunshine into someone’s rainy day—even if I don’t have an adorable Frenchie with a red raincoat walking beside me.
WALK OF FAITH: Today, make it your goal to see how many people you can share a smile with.
Gracious Jesus, help us to smile more! Amen.