Smiling Hope

The hope that Jesus gives will put a smile on our face and a song in our heart. As a child I would sing this song:

Mommy told me something.

A little kid should know.

It's all about the devil,

And I've learned to hate him so.

She said he causes trouble

When you let him in the room.

He will never, ever leave you,

If your heart is filled with gloom.

So let the sunshine in.

Face it with a grin.

Smilers never lose,

And frowners never win.

So let the sunshine in,

Face it with a grin.

Open up your heart,

And let the sunshine in.

I have a precious memory of my dad and youngest son Ryan, age 6, singing this song in church:

There are many troubles,

That will burst like bubbles.

There are many shadows
That will disappear.

When you learn to meet them,

With a smile to greet them,

For a smile is better than a frown or tear.

Though the world forsake you,

Joy will overtake you.

Hope will soon awake you,

If you smile today.

Don't parade your sorrow,

Wait until tomorrow,

For your hope and joy

Will drive the clouds away.

You can smile.

When you can't say a word.

You can smile,

When you cannot be heard.

You can smile,

When it's cloudy or fair.

You can smile anytime, anywhere.

When we live by the maxim "accentuate the positive, decelerate the negative", we are living Philippians 4:8 - "Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lively, admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things".

Get that frown off your face.

Put a smile in it's place.

Let the love of Jesus Christ show through.

Open up; start to sing.

You're a child of the King.

Now go out and change your world.

Here's another song for a happy heart.

Sing and smile and pray.

That's the only way.

When you sing and smile and pray.

You drive the clouds away.

Psychologists tell us that if a person starts smiling, even if the heart is heavy, the inward feelings will begin to change. Place your hope for a positive expected end in God and put a smile on your beautiful face.