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As I read this verse this morning, my first thought was that I have seen smiling faces that in no way revealed a joy-filled heart. I've seen phony smiles, angry smiles, cruel smiles, disgusted smiles ... you get the point.
But then I pondered a little more the words "a warm, smiling face." That's the difference! All those other smiles have a coldness about them. Perhaps an emptiness in the eyes keeps the smile contained to the lips. The joy-filled smile is not simply a smile, but a warmth that envelopes the entire face; it is internal joy that cannot be contained.
The converse is true as well. A spirit crushed by heartache shows up in the face as well. The lips may smile, but you can see the emptiness, hurt, and exhaustion the eyes.
Sometimes we move so quickly through our daily activities that we only notice smiles and frowns. We don't see the whole face. Consequently, we miss opportunities to apply encouraging words and actions to the wounds of those around us.
Question: How can you be more sensitive today to the faces you encounter?
Leave a comment below. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
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