Smile!

 When we hear the word smile, we may think of a picture being taken or the song ("You look so much better when you smile"). Smiling is usually associated with being happy and excited. But is it always? Do we always feel like smiling? If we would be honest, we don't all the time. And I don't know about you, I have shed many tears in 2020 and there are times that through the tears I have found myself smiling. You see, even when we don't feel like smiling, we can still have joy. Joy goes beyond our circumstances and how we feel. Joy is found in God and knowing Him. Nehemiah 8:10 talks about how the joy of the Lord is our strength. That has been my life verse in this season! We can have joy through the good and bad times. We can still muster up a smile even when it's hard and have tears in our eyes. I know because I'm still working through things with loss. This same joy that rocks and comforts me can rock and comfort you. God's joy lets us know we're going to be alright even when we don't feel like we're alright. Today, I want to talk about two examples from the Bible where people had joy in every day life and tough times. The first example comes from Luke 15:8-10. In these verses, there was a story about a woman who had 10 coins and she lost 1 of the coins. She looked through the whole house until she found it. When she found it, she called her friends and neighbors to tell them she found her lost coin. She wanted them to rejoice with her! You know how it is when we lose or misplace something and we're looking everywhere for it. It sure feels good and exciting to find it! We can have joy in the every day things of life, such as calling/visiting family members, eating out at a restaurant, getting an A on an assignment, getting fresh air outside and being able to walk on our own. But what about in the tough times? Is it possible to still have joy? I'm here to tell you the answer is yes. Let's look at the second example in the Bible in Acts 16:16-34. In these particular verses, we see Paul and Silas who traveled many places to teach people about Jesus. Not everyone liked what they were doing. One day, they cast an evil spirit out of a little girl who had been following them day after day. The people didn't like that and had Paul and Silas beat and thrown into prison for what they did. In the prison, their feet were chained together and they were kept a close eye on by the jailor in charge (v.23-24). Do you think they were angry, disappointed, sad? Well, if they were, they didn't show it! They showed the exact opposite. What happens at midnight is amazing! Acts 16:25 says. "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God; and the prisoners heard them." So..wait a minute..you're probably thinking they were praising and praying God while in prison?! Yes..but it gets better!! While they were praising and praying, an earthquake happened, all the doors flew open and the chains fell off all the prisoners (v.26). Now that's powerful! The jailor in charge was so amazed that him and his family gave their life to God and rejoiced in all God had done for them (v. 30-34). Even though Paul and Silas had a tough time and were in a tough place, they still chose to have joy. Our attitude is so important in everything we do. People are watching us when we have those simple joys and we're in those tough places. Remember it said in verses 25 that the prisoners heard them. They were listening. Because of Paul and Silas' actions, the man working there and his family gave their life to God. How is our attitude? Is it causing people to take notice like the other prisoners did or turn away? Our attitude can make the difference. Paul and Silas both knew that God was with them. He's with us too! Joy is possible in God in the every day and tough places. So grateful! Say cheese..now that's something to smile about!