The Power of a Smile

Today I placed 900 bananas on 900 children’s plates. Doing anything 900 times can result in feelings of monotony. It is when I feel myself settling into a groove that I begin to feel God tugging at my heart. Look at them. I look up from the pile of bananas to a little girl’s face and smile. Her flat expression becomes a grin. My gaze moves to the boy behind her. He starts to laugh. These children need food, but more than that, they need love.

Today, I tried to focus on really seeing the children and showering God’s love on as many as possible. There is a difference between ‘looking at’ and ‘seeing’ someone. Sometimes, I catch myself looking at the hundreds of children who come past without actually seeing them. Perhaps I am dehydrated, exhausted, or just allowing my mind wander. When I pull myself back to the present and look into the eyes of these beautiful children, incredible things begin to happen. Angry faces soften. Confused looks become smiles. Worried expressions turn to those of joy. Children giggle. They stop pushing each other in line. They come back to see me after they get their food. They sit with me. They hug me. The next day, they come back again. It is astonishing how 15 seconds of eye contact can make a child realize that they matter to someone.

Jesus had a talent for noticing people whom others would pass over. Take Zacchaeus. And the hemorrhaging woman who touched Jesus’ cloak. And the woman at the well. Jesus’ first disciples were fishermen- not exactly people whom others were clamoring to meet.

So here is my challenge to you today: notice someone. Make eye contact when it is not required. Show someone that you care about their existence. Smile. You never know what God will do.