Smile.

Today has been one of those days where each individual thing has been good, but overall everything has been in a haze.  Just going through the motions of life without any deep emotions.  When I am stuck in that haze, I don't feel real or alive.

One thing today changed my whole day around.  One was a smile from a patient.  An elderly woman, confused beyond belief, in excruciating pain, just moaning and groaning unable to form words - she pulled me out of that haze and gave me life again.  She changed my day.  She suddenly stopped wrestling, stopped groaning, she looked me straight in the eyes and smiled wide from ear to ear.  Her face drew me in.  It allowed me to see her beauty, it allowed me to see her as the mother and grandmother that she is.  She is loved and cherished by her family.  Her smile brightened my day and allowed me to feel alive today.

I hopped in my car after my time at the hospital today.  Matthew West's - Give this Christmas Away was playing.  As I listened to the lyrics I saw more than just a Christmas song.  It brought me back to that woman and her smiling face.  She had the power to give me hope, she made a difference for me today.  Listening to this song all I could do was smile and understand the true beauty that lies in a smiling face.

What if I told you 

You have the power 

To give someone hope 

Beyond their wildest dreams 

What if I told you 

It's right there in your hands 

In your hands  SMILE

It's hard to imagine 

How something so small 

Can make all the difference 

Tear down the tallest wall 

What if December  life

Looked different this year 

What if we all just 

Give this Christmas SMILE away 

If there's love in your heart 

Don't let it stay there 

Give this Christmas SMILE away 

And your life will be changed 

By the gifts you receive 

When you give this Christmas SMILE away 

It's feeding the hungry 

Serving the poor 

It's telling the orphan 

You're not forgotten anymore 

It's doing what love does 

Even when no one's watching you 

Give this Christmas SMILE away 

If there's love in your heart 

Don't let it stay there 

Give this Christmas SMILE away 

And your life will be changed 

By the gifts you receive 

When you give this Christmas SMILE away 

For God so loved the world 

That He gave His only Son 

So we could be 

His hands, His feet, His love 

His love 

What if I told you 

You have the power 

To give someone hope 

Far beyond their wildest dreams 

What if December life

Looked different this year 

Yah what if we all just 

Give this Christmas SMILE away 

If there's love in your heart 

Don't let it stay there 

Please be the one to bring hope, extend love, and really be His hands and feet.  You have the power to be His love, all it takes is a simple smile on your beautiful face.  

You are truly beautiful! You bring light to the darkest of places.  You also bring light to the brightest of places.  Your joy and your tender heart lighten my life.  You encourage me to keep walking.  You spur me on to challenge myself to love deeper.  You are lovely. You are a reason to smile.