Wipe That Smile Off Your Face

In case you haven’t heard, 4 states now, including Arkansas, have adopted a
‘No Smile’ policy for DMV pictures. I’ve always maintained that we should look really sad when taking our driver’s photo, because if we’re pulled over by police we’re probably not going be to doing a happy dance anyway! Seems that’s not the reasoning. There is new face recognition software now that throws up a red flag if you are smiling. So many fraudulent cases regarding photo I.D. have prompted the technology.

When doing student ministry, as an ice-breaker we used to play a game called, “If you love me Darlin’, please smile.’ The object of the game was a person, “IT,” had to go around the circle & pick a person. They had three tries saying that phrase to get the person to smile. They could do any stupid face or trick, short of tickling the person, to get them to smile. Talk about funny, seeing a big, ‘Jock’ football player sitting on his buddies’ lap trying to get him to crack a smile. If they didn’t succeed, they had to move around the circle ‘til some sap smiled.

Growing up, believe me, I had much rather see my Dad smiling at me than catchin’ the wrath of Wayne! As I shared before, I worked with my Dad in construction work so he was not only my Dad but my BOSS! You can relate. NO ONE wants the boss out of sorts. It was great to see him smile in approval at a job well done, a good report card, an artwork, music performance, or best of all…just because he loves me!

I am an encourager, so, by nature, love to make people smile & laugh. It blesses me to brighten a day for someone hurting. More importantly, I want to give REAL encouragement. My heart’s desire is to help introduce folks to lasting peace & joy. In a world of harsh, dark reality, you need an anchor secure & sure to hang on. That’s somewhat the thought behind the ‘Hebrew’ or ‘Priestly Blessing’.
‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.’
Numbers 6:24-26 NLT

It’s more important that we know the Lord & the Lord’s favor rather than just having a good day or peaceful path. Thankfully, Grace means we are not in a ‘performance’ oriented salvation or blessing. We DO want to make our Savior smile, though. I want my Dad’s smile of approval, but more than anything my Heavenly Father’s smile of approval. I want to walk & live in a right relationship & enjoy God’s fellowship. Kind of like Adam did in the ‘cool of the garden’ before the fall of sin.

The greatest joy is not just in a smile of approval for a job or performance well done; it’s in the joy of just knowing your Father loves you no matter what! If you don’t have that assurance or relationship, or maybe an earthly father has skewed your perspective of what your Heavenly Father’s love is like, contact me. I’ll pray with & for you. As always, please return the favor. In the words of the late Vance Havner, “I’m just a starving beggar showing another beggar where to find food.”

Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Cell- 870-217-9376
http://www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport
BCM Website: http://www.bcmasunewport.org
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