It’s amazing how one woman could make such an impact, and all I could do was smile.

On a trip to St. Augustine for our anniversary, Brian and I strolled the streets of the ancient city enjoying the sights and sounds of a warm, summer afternoon. Although we’ve visited many times before, the allure of history coming alive always stirs something deep within me.  Caught up in thoughts about where we might have dinner, I never expected the sudden clashing of my comfort with another woman’s pain.

This woman sat in the dirt beneath a tree. Her eyes had what I can only describe as a wild kind of look and her hair was just as wild. Her clothes were tattered and her expression wore the weight of her world.

She was probably used to people looking away, but as we passed by, I smiled at her. That’s it. A smile.

Then I kept walking.

If you know me, you know I smile, a lot, but this was different somehow. It was a fleeting moment as I kept up the pace in a moving crowd. The contrast of leisure and lacking changed the tone of my heart. The farther I walked the further my mind drifted to all the scenarios of how she came to be in this place, out of place.

Later that evening, I saw her again. Sitting alone on a bench in the distance. I hooked Brian’s arm and we walked the other way.

Guilt gripped me. Should I have talked to her? Should I have listened to her story? Did I fear she was unstable or perhaps that she would resent me?

Back at the Bed & Breakfast where we were staying, I shared about this obviously hurting woman with my husband. I told him I wanted to find her and perhaps offer money or a meal. Knowing me as he does, he humored my desire to quell my guilt with offerings.

As I freshened up before heading back out into the city to search, Brian took a walk along the water. When he came back to the room, he had news for me.

He thought he saw the woman I described. This time she was sitting down near the oyster bed by the river. We had to go back.

We journeyed out, ready to offer her a handful of money and hopefully a prayer. We searched and searched, but she was nowhere to be found.

I had missed my opportunity to bless this woman, twice. Or so I thought at the time, but maybe not. Maybe that woman was used to handouts and one more would have just been like all the others.

Maybe what that woman needed that afternoon, I had already provided. A genuine smile.

You see, our smiles are never wasted.

I have come to realize that my purpose for smiling is to share a little joy with the world around me. It’s to make a connection. In that fleeting moment, that smile connected two women from different worlds but in the same world with the same brokenness.

In just one smile you tell someone, I see you. I acknowledge you. You matter. I know that sounds deep and you might think I’m a little over-the-top, but with all the sadness and desperation in the world, kindness goes a long way, doesn’t it?

Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”                                                                                                                    Galatians 5:22 NASB

I spoke at a woman’s event and shared a story about how God confirmed that He sees us. He sees me and He sees you, and He sees her. El Roi, the God who sees me. You can read about that experience here.

A smile.  It’s an overflow of hope in a world that needs kindness and compassion.

A smile is a powerful thing. We have been called to many things in life, especially cultivating relationships to share the gospel of Christ, but God decides whom He will use to reach someone and it may not be me and it may not be you. However, kindness always matters. It’s not about checking a box off a legalistic to-do list, it’s about sharing our joy with a world that needs hope.

Our Days are Full of Teachable Moments

I began writing this post a few days ago, before heading out to work. I saved it as a draft to finish later, and now I know why.

I needed to add this:

As I walked in the back door of the church office, the doorbell rang at the front. I answered it.

A homeless woman, red-faced from the sun and carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders stood before me.

I invited her in and in she came, dragging a mesh bag full of clothes behind her and totes that hung from both shoulders. I listened to her story.

You’re going to laugh, I asked her if she was ever in St. Augustine. Yup, I did that. No, it wasn’t her. But it didn’t matter that it wasn’t her, because what mattered was that this woman was here.

I took time with her, listened to her, offered provision and prayer. No credit to me, this was all the Lord’s design.

As she left I was sure to smile at her. Again.

Jesus redeems, restores, and refreshes our soul and His love shines through us in different ways, according to the need of the receiver.

I do not believe it was a coincidence this woman showed up at the door that very morning. I also do not believe it was to give me “another chance since I messed up with that other woman” but rather to teach me each divine encounter is never the same. Each is unique in its own way and according to His will. When we are willing, that is.

Be encouraged today, friend. Remember, that our smiles are never wasted. I have a feeling Jesus smiled a lot, too.

Call to Action:

Pray to see others through spiritual eyes, the lost and hurting, the ones he left the 99 for.

The world needs hope and we never know how a simple smile that says, I see you, and simply listening to someone’s story can impact a life. Will you join me in praying for these two ladies?

Share your stories about sharing and/or receiving kindness in the comments.

Be blessed, friends and keep smiling in the Light,

Doris

Another post about El Roi can be found here.

Photo by Daniel Corneschi on Unsplash