Never fully dressed...

Dear Friend, You’re never fully dressed without a smile! Your clothes may be Chanel, Gucci Your shoes crocodile But baby you're never fully dressed without a smile! These are lyrics from a song from the Broadway musical Annie. You are never fully dressed without a smile, but goes much deeper than just the outward appearance. Recently, He challenged me to do a couple simple (so I thought) things; encourage others and smile more. This seemed easy until...my day started, and ended with very little change. As I reflected on the day it seemed as if I didn’t smile or encourage anyone at all! And when I didn’t try I felt like Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz, I needed a whole lot of oil so I could crack a smile. I’m a nice person don’t get me wrong, but there had been a limitation/wall that was up that had been brought to my attention. In this moment, I had to abandon all excuses. Well if certain things hadn’t happened to me as child I would...or if people hadn’t treated me like this I would be kinder...I was just having a bad day...I’m tired...It’s just one of those days...I’m not a smiling person, this is just the way I am...If you only knew what THEY did/said to me then you’d understand! None of these or any other excuses I’d try to make-up would be acceptable for this behavior. Even negative events and moments had occurred, it is still no excuse! So what’s the solution, the Word of God! I had to repent for the attitude, then ask Him to show me where the issue within was (not focusing on the other people or environments) and last I had to ask the Holy Spirit for help! Like the song you can be clothed in the best of the best, but if your heart isn’t in alignment with the Word and no one can see your light shining it doesn’t matter at all! 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Isaiah 61:3 ...To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness... Romans 15:13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Today ask the Holy Spirit to deal with any clutter that may be in the way from letting His shine through you. As the Word works on the inside, His Glory will be illuminated on the outside. Let the inner beauty and joy of the Greater One be seen through everything you think, say, and do today. With His help we can do all things and nothing is impossible! Make the choice today to live the Kingdom from inside out! His joy is my strength, Jess