My husband JR and I were dining at an Italian Restaurant thirty miles from home. We had $10 discount coupons for this restaurant. After a tasty meal, we decided the place was too far to go back for the next time. JR had one more coupon and he wanted to give it away.
“Who should I give it to? I don’t want to offend people.”
We looked around. There in the back corner of the room, JR spotted a father and toddler eating.
“There, I’m giving this coupon to them.”
We slowly approached the table on our way out. The father looked up. JR placed the coupon on the table. The father looked at it and understood what it was for.
“Thank you! This is so nice of you!” he said smiling.
I felt so tall walking with JR, feeling good for what he did.
* * * * * *
We were passing a toll both in West Virginia. JR handed his money to the attendant.
“Here you can have it back. The car ahead paid for you!” the attended said, smiling.
“How nice!” JR and I smiled, too, even if we saved only $2.
* * * * * *
We were driving the long, 12 tiresome hours drive back home from Disney World. Our sons were 7 and 5 years old. Our Volvo station wagon was packed to capacity. The boys found their places in the back. We’ve only driven one third of the way when we saw an old, beat-up car smoking on the side of the road. A family with a toddler and a baby stood by it. We had passed them half a mile, but our conscience won’t let up. So, we decided to go back and give them a ride. We made room for the family and took them 2 hours out of our way to their home. You bet, they had smiles on their faces.
* * * * * *
I noticed a display desk at the nurse’s office where I work. I commented on how beautiful it was. I noticed she has a few seashells scattered about.
“I love the beach and everything in it,” she said.
“Do you like seashells?” I asked
“Yes, I do. Very much!” she answered.
“You know, I have this shell hanging lamp that I no longer want. Would you like to have it?” I asked.
“Sure.”
She had a doubtful look on her face as if she was thinking I was just telling her about it but won’t follow through. The shell swag lamp (see picture of the lamp) is made of hundreds of small seashells and it’s still gorgeous but I’ve outgrown it. The following Monday I gave the shell lamp to the nurse. The smile on her face – I’d remember for a long time.
* * * * * *
When I came down with “occupational” asthma at the chemical laboratory where I worked, it seemed as if the whole place had ganged up on me. I became everyone’s hot topic every day. People can be very cruel. But each day, like an appointed angel, a beautiful, caring person called Avis came to give me encouragement that always put a SMILE on my face.
* * * * * *
Put a smile on someone’s face. It doesn’t have to cost you. A word of encouragement, a nice greeting, even a simple “Hello” can put a smile on someone’s face today.
Here are 4 of our Help the Needy patients with smiles on their faces after wonderful folks sent funds for their surgeries some years back. We have another patient today named Jepaclite waiting for surgery and pleading with Jesus for a miracle. ONLY GOD GETS THE HONOR AND GLORY!
Proverbs 3:3
Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.”