A Very Tiny Smile

I read somewhere recently about the power of just a bit of a smile.  Not one of those big ol' goofy, toothy grins.  Nor one of those phony masks we so quickly don to protect ourselves from what others might see if they looked too closely.  No, none of that.  This choice is just a simple moment in solitude when we will ourselves to turn the edge of our mouths upward.

Most particularly, when we are on edge.  Or bone-weary.  Concerned.  Fear-filled.  Or laboring in prayer.

And as we choose to lift the edge of our mouths upwards, because of the way our Creator has designed us, I'm guessing, we begin to take ourselves just a tad less seriously.  The heavy burden we're carrying seems to ease a bit.  Life's exhausting challenges come into a more balanced focus.  The load we labor with begins to be lifted from our feeble shoulders.  Perspective shifts.

This is a healing gift we give ourselves that costs not a dime.  And low and behold, it can become an act of worship, a sacrifice of praise that reflects a child-like trust in our Savior.  An enlivening acknowledgement that He holds this world with all its heartache in His powerful hands.  That He knows the end from the beginning.  And that when all is said and done, He does all things well.

Do let me know if this works for you.  Ok?

 

*  a hammock self-portrait, September 2012.  not particularly attractive, but brave, yes?

* *  smiling with  Laura  .  Jen   .   Courtney  .  Emily