We are the Smile of God

Matthew 5:13-16

This past summer while I was traveling in Germany I attended a Mass at St. Klara in Nuremberg. The priest was one of the most hospitable people I have ever met. In his homily he said this, "We are the hands and feet of Jesus. We are the smile of God to one another." What a beautiful statement.

Sometimes it is hard to the smile of God to one another. Think about it - how many people did you encounter today who smiled at you? Just yesterday as I waited at a red light I looked at the car next to me. I often pray for that person. When I looked, the man was smiling. Just sitting there and smiling. It made me smile. How often we rush through life not really seeing the people or the beauty next to us. there we were, two strangers, not even looking at one another, but he made a difference in my day. For the next two hours I began to smile at everyone I met. You should have seen the reaction of folks. They often looked at me to see if they knew me, then most of them smiled back. Some even said hello.

We have the power to be the love of God in our world. We can continue to add to the anger, the vengencance, the gossip in our lives or we can be the smile of God to one another. Try it and see the miracles that begin to happen!

Reflection

Did you smile at someone today? How did it make you feel? Can you see yourself as the conduit for God's love to others? Write about a time when this happened.

Challenge

What are the things that hold you back from loving others? How can you begin to be a channel for the love of God to others? Today, smile and pray for one other person. Tell someone that God loves them.

Prayer

Smiling God, forgive me when I am grumpy and take it out on others. Stretch my face to smile more often and be a reflection of your great love and mercy. Lead me to people who need a friend this day and open my life to be ready to love them. In the name of Jesus who

July 18, 2012 - Daryl and I had a remarkable trip to Wales - first on the Island of Bardsey with my classmates from Drew and then another week of touring Wales.  We were astounded at how friendly everyone was to us and also how they embraced us as Americans.  This was never more evident than when we were at the Bondant Museum.
Early that morning we had planned to travel to Tenby and wanted to get a head start.  Unfortunately we had a flat tire.  Complete strangers stopped and pumped it up with this neat little gadget in their car so we could make it to a garage.  The gentleman there were so funny and in a half hour we were back on the road.  Of course by now it was nearing lunch time.  We had cheese and wine for our lunch and had hoped to stop along the seacoast for brief refreshment.  What we really needed was some bread!  As we were driving along, I saw a sign for a Welsh museum of food and it said they had a bakery.

          "hey, let's stop there!" As we entered the driveway a guard stopped us and asked if we had an invitation.  "No," I said, "do we need one?  it's a museum!"  "No," she said, "but Prince Charles is coming today."  so we parked and then some policeman became friendly with us and we had fun with their hats! Okay so on with the story.  Then we met a reporter who discovered we were Americans. he took us under his wing and whispered to us the itinerary and told us where to stand.  As we waited there, we became good friends with Sigfrid and Gwynfor (yes I spelled it correctly, just don't ask me to say it!)

They decided that we should definitely shake hands with the Prince and Camilla. So when they came through they introduced us as "their friends from America" and we had nice conversations! Imagine that!  This was just incredible.  Then they closed the bakery because Prince Charles was touring it so Sigfrid gave us her homemade bread!  Joys abound!

A 17 Year Old Brings Joy with Senior Project

Last Saturday our son Jordan dug eight holes for flags in front of our church as part of his senior project. Now you may think there is nothing out of the ordinary about this. But that's where you are wrong. You see, Jordan was putting poles up for flags that represent the countries of the refugees that our church family serves.

I had no idea the conversation, thrill and emotion that would come from this event. Since he was working on a Saturday, a lot of folks were passing by the church. After he got the American flag up and then the flag from Nepal, folks started stopping and asking what he was doing. Jordan explained that we are neighbors to many refugees and they do not get to see the flag of their beloved home land - the place where many of them will never see again. He told them about the English classes we hold each day and the educational trips. He told how they have been forced out of their own countries. Drivers began to toot their horns and clap for him as they drove by. This was incredible and I could see a change in Jordan as he became proud of what he was doing. It was suddenly much more than a senior project - it was a testimony to the love of our neighbors.

The real miracle though came Sunday and Monday mornings. On Sunday as the Haitian congregation came to worship, one of the teenage boys ran to the flagpole that waved the Haitian flag and hugged it. My country, my country he said as he beamed. Others soon gathered round and began to clap. I cried for the joy of what one simple act could do.

Then Monday as the refugees arrived to class, they ran to their flag poles - Nepal, Bhutan, Cuba, Thailand, Burma and celebrated their country. I cried for the joy of what one simple act can do!

Jordan is not finished yet. Hopefully this week he will have all the poles in place and then he wants to have a dedication service with the refugees (not part of his senior project!). There are times when as a mother of a 17 year old, I have wondered what path he is on. But Jordan made 6 pans of ziti, held the fundraiser so he could buy the flags and the poles, dug holes two feet deep each, and all of these became a tool for joy for someone else. I'm proud of Jordan - proud that he did the hard work, but even prouder for what he said to me on Saturday as he hoisted the flags on the poles. "the refugees need to see their flag - they need to know they are in a land that welcomes them."

How right you are Jordan - and now if only all nations could hear your words! I love you son!