Recently, while pushing my super-sized shopping cart down a CostCo aisle, I made eye contact with an older woman who was dressed in the traditional Arab, dark-colored, full body cloak. Struck by the sternness of her countenance and almost without thinking, I continued to look her in the eyes as my smile gently grew larger, while remaining sincere. It was as if I could follow her thought process in response to my smile. At first, sadly, her eyes declared that infrequently, she is the recipient of kindness from white women. And then, her smile went from no smile, to a tentative smile, to a smile mirroring my own. What a wonderful experience we both had and no words were exchanged. Our exchange contained expressions of the heart painted on the canvas of human faces.

Scripture tells us that David was “a man after God’s own heart.” To understand another’s heart, we gather information about what is important to that person. Since the face expresses the heart, in seeking God’s face, aren’t we really longing to understand His heart about many things? Not the least of which is how He feels about us and those we encounter. I find it unfathomably inviting that God wants us to seek His face. The One who created you and created me, who redeemed us on a rugged cross yearns to open His heart to us. As a result, His desire is that we care about who and what He cares about, and then with our faces pass along His glory to others.

At CostCo, the woman had a complete countenance transformation as she responded to His heart reflected in a human face. Viewing her facial transformation in time lapsed photography would provide a powerful reminder of God’s ability to impact our culture with the use of a tool we each possess, our faces. Like Moses, as we spend time on the mountain alone with God, our faces will be transformed and cannot help but reflect His glory to others. So, what do you say? Shall we schedule an appointment at The Heavenly Mountain Spa so that He can make us over with His love? This way, our faces can more often reflect His heart to a lost and hurting culture.

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 

2 Corinthians 3:18

Check out Julie’s blog by clicking here.

 

Don’t Miss the Giggles

See end of post for book Giveaway:  31 Days to Becoming a Happy Mom

It was my first time meeting with the Sales Director and the VP of Marketing at the publishing house of my first book.  Think power breakfast in the big leagues.  And do you know what I introduced as the first topic of conversation?

“My husband James took our two-year-old daughter to the bathroom this morning and she went number two for the first time in the toilet!”

Yes, I really said that.

Our daily lives as moms are filled with the laughable, absurd, quotable, darling, hilarious, and at times downright crude.  Today I want to challenge you to find the funny in it all.  If you look around with a light heart and eyes wide open, you’ll find plenty of material for hours of stand-up comedy.

When my daughter was five, Noelle called tangerines “tambourines.”  As we went through the grocery store, she excitedly pointed and said, “Oh, let’s get some tambourines!”  That made a grandma standing nearby smile.  “My grandson calls shampoo ‘Shamu’!” she said.

My son Ethan called the chocolate malt balls “Whoopers” instead of “Whoppers.”  Lucy insisted on being called “Cinderwella.”  I’m sure you have a list of these funny sayings too if your children are young.  Write them down while you remember.  Keep a journal of funny moments with your kids.

It says in Proverbs 17:22 that “a cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”  Here you see the correlation between your inward life and your physical and mental health.  This verse is about your ability to persevere through the years.  The word medicine only occurs here in the Old Testament.  A crushed spirit refers to being depressed or sad.

The Bible gives us an antidote to depression, sadness, and deteriorating health:  a cheerful heart.  A happy heart.  Other translations say a merry heart.  The idea here is someone who is delightful, full of festivity and high spirits, and joyous.  Don’t worry if you feel too Eeyore-like to fit this description.  Chances are you have some kids around who can help you laugh more frequently.

Sometimes the lifeline out of fatigue and the doldrums comes through the funny comments of your children.  That is, if you make the point to notice and cherish those moments.  And giggle!

GIVEAWAY INFO:  We are giving away a copy of Arlene’s new book, 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Mom  Email me at Karol@Karolladd.com with subject line Book Giveaway, and I will randomly select a winner.

Arlene Pellicane is a speaker and author of 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Mom and 31 Days to a Happy Husband.  She is also the co-author of Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World (with Gary Chapman).  She has been a featured guest on the Today Show, Fox & Friends, Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, The 700 Club, and Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah. 

Arlene lives in the San Diego area with her husband James and their three children.

To learn more and for free family resources such as a monthly Happy Home podcast, visit www.ArlenePellicane.com

Video link:  https://youtu.be/SV2ewzM1THE