When You Must Smile

When You Must Smile

Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. Proverbs 12:25

I left for the airport early, but I wasn’t looking forward to this trip. Since I had accepted the speaking assignment, the event town had flooded. I expressed sympathy and offered to reschedule, but the hostess was adamant: “We need your funny stories.”

I didn’t want to be funny. My grandparents had been flooded out when the Cumberland River jumped its banks. I knew about loss of family photos and family treasures. How could I offer anything to women who had faced that? Oh, Lord, please help! was my constant prayer.

As I approached the automatic check-in, an agent called for attention.

“A storm is approaching, so we’re trying to get you out early. If you have a ticket for the 8:25 through Chicago, step over here for immediate departure.”

Before I knew it, I was on a packed plane, in a window seat in the back. I always ask for a forward seat on the aisle, so this seat assignment assured me the trip was off to a bad start. Just as I settled in, my seatmate arrived.

“This earlier flight sure was a surprise, huh?”

“Sure was.” I was in no mood for chitchat.

“You going to visit grandkids?”

Now I was irritated. What an arrogant assumption that any woman with gray in her hair and wearing slacks didn’t have corporate reasons for being on a plane.

“No. Business.”

“Oh. What do you do?”

I sighed. “I talk.”

“Really.” It crossed my mind that he wanted to add, “Could have fooled me.” Instead he said, “What about?”

It was time for a showdown. “Look,” I said. “I’m known for my funny stories. I tell about goofy relatives and zany experiences. But this time I’m going into a town hit by flooding, and I don’t want to be funny.”

He settled a flat pillow behind his neck. “Well, you can be grumpy after you speak. Those folks need to laugh. They won’t forget their pain. They’ll just be reminded good days will come again.”

I murmured a surprised “Thanks” as he closed his eyes. Then I looked out the window and watched the plane head for the sky. I had almost missed God’s answer to my plea for help. —SANDRA

Lord, how often do I ask for your help and then not recognize it because it comes through an experience or person I don’t like. Help me to be open to your voice and your answers, no matter the source.

God’s wisest saints are often people who endure pain rather than escape it.

—CHARLES SWINDOLL, PASTOR, AUTHOR, EDUCATOR, AND RADIO PREACHER