A Smiling Face

     I was in a local store the other day getting my furry, four-legged friends some food. It was a busy time of the day and instead of just running in and out I found myself behind three other people in the checkout line. I didn’t really mind, though, when I saw that one of my favorite cashiers was on duty. This cashier always takes the time to give you a few kind words and a warm smile along with your change. There is no extra charge for the pleasantness, cheerfulness, and goodness she gives even though they are the most valuable things in the store.

     As I was waiting to checkout I glanced at one of the magazines on the rack. I noticed it had a female celebrity wearing a gem studded gown worth four times as much as my friendly cashier could make in a year. When I looked at it, however, I couldn’t help but think that nothing on that dress sparkled as brightly or shined as beautifully as that cashier’s joyful smile.

     In this life everyone is our teacher. Some teach us how to live and some teach us how not to live. I think that both the celebrity and the cashier taught me the same thing that day. They both taught me that it is far less important how we dress up our lives and far more important how we live our lives. What use, after all, is an eighty thousand dollar evening gown that will be worn only once. A smile can be worn every single day and its uses are never ending. It can uplift a hurting heart. It can bring laughter to a weary soul. It can share the warm glow of friendship. It can reconnect us to the human family. It can show us just how beautiful life can be. It can remind us just how much God loves us, and it can open a window inside of us so that the light and joy of Heaven can enter.

     Don’t spend too much time or money dressing up your life then. Spend your time living it instead. Remember the most beautiful things we can wear are a loving heart and a smiling face.

~ Joseph J. Mazzella ~

[ by: Joseph J. Mazzella (joecool@wirefire.com) -- {used with permission} ]