We had a wonderful time with our friends on Friday! And then got to go to a baby shower Saturday–so much fun!
Now for Fabulous Family Friday–on Monday! 
There is a song we sing called “The Smile Song”:
Every day in this world, there are people that I meet.
I walk up, shake their hands, and they see
The kind of person that I am by the smile that I wear.
I am blessed by the smile Jesus gives me.
A smile, a smile to make this life worthwhile;
A smile, precious smile Jesus gives me.
And someday I know up to Heaven I will go,
Where I’ll thank Jesus for this smile He gives me.
~The Smile Song, Author Unknown, Adapted by Janna DePue
How important is a smile? VERY!
There are several verses about a cheerful or merry heart in Proverbs. Here are a few:
“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” ~Proverbs 15:13
“All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” ~Proverbs 15:15
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” ~Proverbs 17:22
Scripture tells us where a smile comes from–the heart! And how can we have a merry heart? By focusing on all Christ has done for us! And allowing Him to live in our heart–and permeate the rest of us, too!
Just recently I had a friend at church comment how our girls are always smiling. I have received that comment/compliment frequently! Often the moms will tell me how they just don’t really smile a whole lot.
Now, I don’t smile all the time, either! But, I would say overall, that I am a cheerful person and smile and laugh a lot with my family. If we’re not careful, we can get so focused on all that needs to get done, on what’s wrong with our spiritual walk, or our husband, or our in-laws, or the world…..that we let these things steal our joy.
Look again at the verses quoted above. All refer to a “merry heart”. But what does that mean?
It means you will become what your heart dwells upon. If you dwell on all that’s wrong with the world (or your family, or your homeschool, or you), then that is what will “show”. Remember this kids’ song?
“If you’re happy and you know it, then you’re life will surely show it….”
As Christians, all the more should joy and gratitude show through our lives. And maybe that second part is the key–gratitude.
It is hard to be joyful or have a merry heart if you are not grateful. If you think life has handed you a bad platter, then it’s easy to go through life with a chip on your shoulder, and hard to see how you can be a blessing to others because you are, ultimately, self-focused.
We are Christ’s ambassadors, reflecting His heart and His mind to the world. There is no room for self-focus in that! Jesus was never focused on Himself. He always was in tune to the Father’s will. We have that pesky sin nature that makes it a bit more difficult, but it is really a continual choosing of where you will focus your thoughts.
I am doing a wonderful study called The Mind of Christ, by T.W. Hunt and Claude King. (I am doing the workbook, not just reading the book. I highly recommend this workbook! It was recommended to me by a dear “cyber-friend”, Asha!) Here is a good quote:
I had spent most of my life unconscious of the process of thinking. Little of my thinking was controlled by my will….
Then our thoughts often lead to actions–godly thoughts to godly actions, wrong throughts to wrong actions.
The mind of Chrsist was not disordered but ordered. He controlled His thinking in such a way that only godly actions came though His life. This is one reason you and I need the mind of Christ.
~The Mind of Christ, p. 36
We need to purpose what we will think and dwell upon. Then we will find our heart lighter and more merry, which leads to the “cheerful countenance”!
In Nancy Leigh DeMoss’ book, Choosing Gratitude, Joni Eareckson Tada writes a convicting foreward. You can read a few paragraphs on the sample front flap at CBD. Here is a woman who must have everything done for her—and yet she is grateful. I haven’t read much of the actual book yet, but just the foreward is enough to give you an attitude check!
I would challenge you to focus on gratitude–to God, to your husband, to your parents and in-laws, and to your children. Let go of some of the things that are keeping your “countenance” from being “cheerful”.
And really, just focusing on our wonderful Father, Bridegroom King and Comforter is enough to make us grateful!
As you let go of the things cumbering you about like Martha, you will find a song in your heart and a smile on your face—and your family will start reflecting it back to you and to others!
I found this blog, Heart of Virtue, when looking for an audio of The Smile Song, and I thought she had a delightful post–enjoy the post and her pictures! (Maybe when everyone is well and gets their voices back, we’ll do a video of The Smile Song since I didn’t find any! )
A smile, a smile–yes, a smile from a grateful, merry heart DOES make this life worthwhile!
Tags: Choosing Gratitude, Fabulous Family Friday, gratitude, marvelous mommy monday, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, smile, T.W. Hunt, The Mind of Christ