Although his frame is small; his joy is able to melt the hearts of Giants.
This child does not know how his smile has brought joy to me over the years. I met him at a family gathering. We became instant playmates. The front yard became our playground. We laughed, played, and enjoyed the moment like children are so good at doing.
Years have past, this photo still brightens and then lightens my heart despite the happenings a day can bring.
“I will never understand all the good that a simple smile can accomplish.” – Mother Teresa
Although I do not understand all the scientific and mechanical workings of this facial expression, I do recognize it to be a good gift from a compassionate God. One of the ways that God reveals himself through scripture is as the One who provides. This small gift has given more to humanity than we realize. We have received more from this gift than we can imagine. It surpasses culture, age, language barriers, and socioeconomic differences. I’m amazed how it cuts momentarily through a season of grief. It’s the whipped cream on a blissful day.
According to smile researcher, Ron Gutman, we have been smiling since the womb. It reduces stress, lengthens one’s life span, boosts moods, and connects us to others.
This is the power of a smile – It is able to break through the shells of our hearts, and we become infectious agents of joy to those around us. Today, give the gift of a smile. You were born to do it!
Angela is the Founder of Shades of Goodness. She looks forward to providing a platform dedicated to discovering the goodness in the world around us: home, finances, random acts of kindness, cuisine, personal goals, and most importantly God.
