A Simple Smile

Lay witness weekend traveling with my two clowning friends was an adventure. Over the course of a three-day weekend, Dottie and Jewels, their clown names, cheered the hearts of children and adults alike. They told silly jokes, preformed silly skits, and shared the love of Jesus to all they came in contact with.

When it was time to go home Sunday afternoon, Dottie and Jewels continued to wear their makeup. They enjoyed seeing what kind of reaction people had along the way. As travelers noticed Dottie and Jewels driving down the rode, it was amazing to see how goofy people could react. All three of us had some great laughs.

After traveling awhile, we decided to stop at a convenient rest area to stretch our legs. Dottie and Jewels walked around and talked to people as if their appearance was normal. The reaction of others was far from normal.  When people spotted my friends, huge smiles began to sweep over their faces. A spirit of pleasure and joy seemed to fill the atmosphere.  Some walked up and told jokes; others want to ask why my friends were dressed up that way and several wanted their pictures made with a clown. Then, a few others just gave a shy little waved from a distance. In all of this, my friends continued to witness about the love of Christ.

Later, I began to ponder…how could I uplift others like Dottie and Jewels in my everyday life? There has got to be other simple ways of brightening another person’s day besides wearing clown garb. Then it dawned on me. I could put on a simple caring smile.  Smiling takes no makeup preparation and certainly no talent but the effects of a smile can change someone’s day completely.  A smile can put others at ease, bring freedom, and build confidence. For a moment in time, other person may be able to forget the problems they are facing and focus on a pleasure in the present.

Try it and see. Walk around one of your local shopping areas with a sincere smile and make momentary direct eye contact with someone. See if you don’t get a smile back. Sometimes you might even get a chance to witness openly to someone because they want to know why you have that smile on your face. A “God Moment” may ensue and a chance to make a difference by glorifying Him.

Whatever we do to witness to the world about our Savior will take effort, courage and some time to carry out. We do not have to have extravagant tools or tons of education. God has gifted each of us with simple abilities to accomplish His redemptive purposes. Remember…sometimes, witnessing can even be as ease as forming a simple caring smile to show our inward hope in Christ.