The Kindest Words
Posted on May 8th, 2008 in Kindness | 3 Comments »
I couldn’t have been more than 13 years old at the time. This was the time in my life when it was cool to grow my hair over my ears and wear OP corduroy shorts and Hobie Cat T-shirts. I liked bottle rockets and Space Invaders more than girls.
So there I was at church wearing my light blue suit that my mom bought for me at Sears. I had been ordained a Deacon in the Mormon church which means I could pass the bread and water but couldn’t be trusted to prepare or bless it.
After one meeting ended I bounded up the stairs, two or three at a time, to the last class of the day. As I got to the top I came face to stomach with a lady I barely knew. She was wearing a fancy red dress I doubt she found at Sears.
I stopped and waited for the inevitable lecture about how this was the Lord’s house and how dare I run through it. I flashed a goofy grin hoping to lesson the blow.
But it never came.
Instead she put her hand on my shoulder and said, “Your smile makes my day. I just love it”
As I continued into my class I was stunned yet thrilled. My whole body was tingly with joy.
Those few words brought so much joy to a young boy many years ago.
And it still makes me smile whenever I think about it.
3 Responses
That’s sweet. Thank goodness for that lady and others like her who take the time to notice a Deacon’s smile.
That reminded me of my Stake President telling me after my missionary farewell that if I kept smiling like I did that I would be a successfull missionary. Smiles do have a lot of power.
You know I am reminded of a sister that is very dear to my heart that gave an challenge to a group of girls that I was a part of when I was about the age of a Deacon. She challenged us with the task of smiling to everyone. Make the effort to look every person in the face and give them a smile. Most cannot help but look you in the eye and smile back. And who knows who’s day you may have brighten or heart you may have lifted just by taking notice of their presence.