Maria T. Henriksen: The Smile
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
~Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV)
Have you ever been so taken by someone’s smile? You know, the kind that lights up a room? I had the pleasure of seeing my friend beam from ear to ear only a few days after major brain surgery.
Yes, you read that correctly. Brain surgery.
And yet she still smiled….
There she was, beaming a radiant smile, singing Jesus’s praises at church, despite being in pain. My friend had been through tremendous discomfort and she had the scars to prove it, yet she insisted on giving God the glory. I am thankful for being able to worship collectively, so I could witness such a beautiful moment. When I looked at my friend’s radiant smile and heard her praises, I also rejoiced.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Despite the trials my friend endured, she was quick to point to the heavens knowing that God would welcome her with open arms one day. She was loving life, and she was not afraid of the length or the brevity of her days because she knew she had eternal life through her Savior Jesus Christ.
Friend, brighten someone’s day today by giving them a smile. Then, look up, and rest assured that God has you in the palm of His hand.
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
~Psalm 27:1 (NIV)
Share the impact a friend’s smile had on you as they faced a trial.
Heavenly Father, thank You for every blessing You have bestowed upon me. I have much to be thankful for, and I acknowledge every day is a gift from You. I choose to praise You in all circumstances.
In Your Son Jesus Christ’s precious Name, I pray. Amen.
Genre: Non-fiction
Copyright 2021: The Smile: Maria T. Henriksen: All Rights Reserved
Meet Our Contributor
MARIA T. HENRIKSEN
Maria T. Henriksen is the author of Not Again, a young adult Christian romance novel. She is working on the sequel entitled, Not Again: The Fallout, to be published in 2021.
She is a devotion writer for VineWords: Devotions and More and a contributing author to Love Knots: Stories of Faith, Family, and Friendships (VineWords Publishing).
Maria hosts a ministry through her blog, Maria’s Ministry. She also manages a Facebook group, Maria’s Muses: Inspirational, Christian, & Close-to-the-Heart Readers, which consists of Christian writers and contributors.
Maria graduated from Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s in Communications/Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Psychology. She has experience in graphic arts, finance, banking, health, fitness, beauty, and substitute teaching.
As a wife for over two decades, Maria considers herself blessed. She and her husband are the proud parents of twin boy/girl teenagers. In her spare time she runs, writes poems and songs, creates graphics, enjoys family activities, and reads. Maria’s greatest desire is for lives to be transformed through her inspirational writings.
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What a reminder to not forget to always smile and never forget to give God praise.
Thank you my dear sister in Christ. I appreciate your gracious mirror more than I can say. Home from my most recent surgery, 1 week ago, and feeling physically less than well, I am HONORED our Lord still shines in my smile. When it is not well with my health, my family, my work, my world, SO much…it IS well with my soul! I praise God for reminding me that despite my human inability to ever DO anything to EARN my entry to my intended perfect home, He determined I was worth giving his only Son for! There is NOTHING greater than His love for me and ALL! I am EXCITED for every moment He blesses me with an opportunity to share this by loving others as first He loved us. Thank you my sister. Through my tears of pain and earthly frustration, I am smiling, humbled by your gracious reminder of how our Lord uses ALL for good. Thank you!!!
God is good even if… I love faith of your friend. We should all be this way.
Thanks, Maria, for reminding us on Whom to focus. 🙂
Thank you Maria, for reminding us to always give God the glory at all times.
That is so true, Maria. Thank you for sharing this story. A sincere smile can soften a heart . In this day and age of masks, we can’t forget that our smiles shine through our eyes.