The Smile
Pastor Patrick encouraged all the congregation to look for ways to help someone even if it was just to go out of your way to be nice to them. Well, let me tell you about my morning.
I had to go to an appointment where several people congregate. Wait, I need to explain my T-shirt first. I like funny T-shirts. When I was working, there was an unwritten rule that people around my level were expected to wear suits and ties. So, I only got to wear my T-shirts on the weekends so I’ve accumulated some. Today, my T-shirt was one that had “Bacon is meat candy” with the picture of a pig under it. It just happened to be next in my rotation.
Ok, back to the appointment. I got there at least 20 minutes early (it’s just how God made me to be early for an appointment). I was in the waiting area when a guy asked me to read my T-shirt. We struck up a conversation (he was born and raised on a farm in Seneca, Kansas). We talked about buying beef and pigs, etc. While we were talking, my friend, who works there, came around the corner and saw me. Her face lit up with a big smile. For some reason, that smile made me feel good.
Rabbit hole - I was going to make a joke about her being a friend and a lady but not my lady friend in the spirit of Sheldon on Big Bang when he first became friends with Amy Farrah Fowler, but I decided not to. You’re welcome.
Anyway, during my appointment (with a different person) I was next to another customer. She noticed my T-shirt and made a supportive comment on her way out. She had a smile on her face. Then the guy who I sat with in the waiting room walked out and he told me to have a great day with a smile on his face.
My next stop was at Hy-Vee. I had to go to Custer service, and they had a line. When I was next in line, a young lady (young compared to me. I’d guess in her early 30s) came dancing around the corner to the store music and motioned me over. That made me smile. That’s when I saw on her name badge that she was the assistant customer service manager which even made me happier about the dancing. This errand culminated with me walking towards the door next to an older couple. He wasn’t paying attention and very nearly fell into one of those middle of the aisle displays. As I got close to the door, I told him that when I saw him stumble, my first priority would have been to make sure he was ok before I laughed out loud. He replied that he would laugh too and flashed me with a big smile.
In all these interactions, no real effort or cost was born by either party but happiness and joy ensued. I think this is what Patrick was alluding to as part of the disciple making process.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20 ESV
“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” - James 2:1-10
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” - Matthew 5:13-16
