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people should smile more

Today is Sara’s birthday.  I’m just now sending my daughter her birthday gift via air mail.  What is her gift you ask?  Her mom.  Yes, Candi has begun her 7,482 mile journey to South Korea.  And I can guarantee that she will be practicing the presence of Christ and praying more than usual for the next 20 hours.  Flying is her least favorite thing to do, but then sometimes our least favorite things become our most favorable opportunities to grow.  I trust this is one of those times for Candi.

 

Her being gone for 2 weeks could be a definite time of growth for Brian and me.  Trying to survive without her will be an interesting challenge; although it does have some positive points too.  For instance, the ban on rubber band wars in the house has now been officially lifted.  I’ve already got some welts to prove it. 

 

I've left O’Hare, and I'm listening to Newton Faulkner... "people should smile more..."  This gives me an idea for an experiment.  It’s basically my “pray for people” experiment, except on steroids.  At every toll booth on 294 I make it my goal to get the attendant to smile.   Most of these toll booth attendants are in a near comatose state and seem to want to remain that way.  So it’s not an easy task, especially when I’m not feeling well to begin with.   But the act of spreading joy (or trying to) is very rewarding, even when I am not successful.

 

What if we were to make it our goal to make others smile?  I think it would cause me to smile a lot more.

 

Speaking of smiles…  tomorrow morning around 4am there’s going to be a lot of smiling when Candi is reunited with Sara and Jonah!  Until then, I would love to know there are friends praying for her as she flies across the Pacific Ocean to the other side of the world.

4 comments (Add your own)

1. Johnny K wrote:
Hey Chris!

I'm praying for her (and for your rubber band induced welts to heal!)

JK

Wed, May 20, 2009 @ 8:30 AM

2. wrote:
I've been on the prayer bandwagon with you, and God has been and is faithful. Now, everybody smile!

Mom "B"

Wed, May 20, 2009 @ 5:47 PM

3. Becky B wrote:
My prayers are with her AND you & Brian. I'm sure she'll have the time of her life. You, on the other hand,...! Please ignore voice mail I sent; I didn't know Candi is gone.

Thu, May 21, 2009 @ 12:27 AM

4. Sheila Jenkins wrote:
Great experiment, Chris! That is actually my goal with all patients, staff and docs here at the office (Great Lakes Eye Care, where I pray you don't end up because of getting your eye put out from a rubber band!) Anyway, the grumpiest patients are the ones I focus on the most, and I'm usually successful! It really is a great feeling to be used by God to bring at least a glimmer of joy to someone's life.
Have fun while Candi's gone...but not TOO much fun!

Fri, May 22, 2009 @ 6:10 PM

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