Getting Ahead: Smiling Faces

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I can remember a song that I listened to as a teenager that said, “smiling faces tell lies.” I can also remember hearing people say, “You cannot trust someone that is smiling all of the time.”

I am sure that there are times that these phrases have held true. Some people are so deceptive that they can smile at you while all the time their motive is self-serving. However, if someone is awarded a valuable prize they will break out in smiles, laughter, and a multitude of other emotions. Did you ever notice the faces of those who are handed a new born baby? Their continence lights up as a smile breaks out across their face. You can even see that smile in their eyes. Most people’s first reactions, when being introduced to someone that they have never met, is a smile.

On the other hand, when people have a heavy heart, their smiles are few and far between. When those people do try to smile there is no sparkle in their eyes and it is plain to see that they are troubled. The smiles that they are able to work up are forced and are not real. It is plain to me that what is on the inside of a person can be seen on the outside of them.

We live in a real world with real troubles and there is no way to be exempt of that. You have experienced times when the smile on your face is forced and it is not a reflection of what you are feeling on the inside. The good news is that most of us do not live our entire lives in a troubled existence. Sure we have experienced trouble, but it comes and goes and genuine smiles can be seen on our faces most of the time. Do you suppose there is a way to have a smile that reflects the good times even when we are going through bad situations? Is it possible to have a genuine smile regardless of what is happening on the outside because there is a power in us that out shines the problem?

These and other life questions will be addressed Sunday morning as “The Gathering Place Family” meets in the Washington High School Gymnasium at 10 a.m. for our Pre-Service Connection where we enjoy coffee, juice and donuts. Our Worship Service and Children’s Church then begins at 10:30. Come at 7 p.m. and be part of our Wednesday night Bible Study and Children’s Ministry on the third floor above Trends at 120 West Court Street.

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By John G. Pfeifer

Religion Columnist

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