Monday 12 April 2010

Smile ! Please ?

Our pastor here in Florida preached a message recently that really hit me hard, and hopefully has changed my life style. Please pray for me that I really get this.

He asked a question, "Do you really think that God looks down on people and smiles at them as they walk with Him?" I thought about mama and know in my heart that God is really pleased with her total commitment to Him and I could not see God do anything but smile as mama walks with Him.

Then the pastor asked the question that hit me hard. "If God looks down at us and has a loving heart, and smiles at us as we try to serve Him, why do we have a hard time smiling at them?" Wham, suddenly I thought about the criticisms I have sad to mama, the things that she does that I let upset me, the stupid things I say that pick at her or hurt her.

Mama, please forgive me! I love you very much, you are my best friend and I need to "smile" more at you. You are the best Christian I have ever known. I know Jesus smiles at your walk. I pray that I will smile more as we walk together serving Him. Mama, you are my best friend, I am sorry.

14 comments:

CrossView said...

Ouch! It's a good pastor that can make you think...

I'm sure your lovely wife knows the phrase:
'Cause after all, he's just a man. ;o)

Parsley said...

It's a precious thing to humble ourselves before our family. Your heart is right where it needs to be. We all have these shortcomings and battle with them. God is still molding us into the vessels we need to be. Hugs to you and Mama.

Indian Lake Papa said...

Crossview, I am not smilng - - Ha!

Parsley - Why are we so quick to criticize, berate the other followers of Christ when He looks down and smiles and encourages?!! WHY ???We should know better!!

Indian Lake Papa said...

This is Mama....I told Papa that I feel he makes me out better than I am. I have a wonderful smart man. :) I love him very much and we are just normal people who make mistakes at times. But we do keep trying to do better every day and keep loving each other.
May you feel God's smile on you today. MAMA

Carol said...

Love that picture of "nature" smiling!

Indian Lake Papa said...

YeP Carol, It kind of reminds us that God is watching us and smiling and encouraging us.

fullertribe said...

COME HOME!!!!

Peter Olson said...

I heard that it takes less muscles to smile than to frown. ;-)
So it is less work to ~ SMILE!
The longest word in the English language is: smiles, because there is a mile between the first and last letter.

Remember that the Joy of the Lord is my strength.

Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

Have a great day and SMILE! ;-)
God Bless!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Jammi - We are working on it! We will pull out Monday AM at 6AM!!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Peter - we are smiling!! It has been a great winter and a good 2010 so far! See ya before too long!!

Ed said...

Your pastor had exactly the right message for all of us. Jesus taught we need to live our lives with love. Smiling is the best way to convey love. It is also essential, along with laughter, for good mental health.

Papa, I am sure that over your 40+ years together you have done a lot of smiling.

Indian Lake Papa said...

Ed, I have two great pastors! One in Florida and one in Michigan. They have helped me tremendously - both spiritually and in my relationships with others. Mama is the best and I need to do even more smiling with mama.

Peter Olson said...

Maybe I can stop by next Wednesday after my pantamidine treatment at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. I'm scheduled for 10:45 AM, so I could be at your house by lunchtime. Ha! Ha! It will be great to see you both again. ;-)

Indian Lake Papa said...

Peter - that sounds great!!