Читать книгу Wellspring - Karen Moore - Страница 50

February 12

Hope for a Troubled Heart

A joyful heart brightens one's face, but a troubled heart breaks the spirit.

—Proverbs 15:13

A smile and a frown / Walk in the rain, / One with great joy— / One just to complain. / The smile draws light / From the good things about, / While the frown sees the shadows / That only cast doubt. / They pause for a moment / On reaching the town, / The smile looks up / And the frown looks down.

—K. Moore

Whatever is happening inside the heart and mind steals across the face and shows up wrapped in joy or sorrow. As you walk around today, make it a point to study the faces of those who are near you, looking for signs of what may be stirring in their hearts at that moment. When you see a face with a great, bright smile, thank God for the joy that person knows and was able to share with you as they passed. When you see one with a broken spirit, cast down by the burdens of life, ask God to strengthen and renew that person.

Your ministry today is about standing on your feet, watching out for others, and praying for their good. May this be a day when your heart is not troubled, but smiles with the eyes of faith.

In the Flow

Lord, help me notice the faces of those I meet today. Help me peer inside their hearts and offer prayers of thanksgiving. You are the great Source of all that brings real joy to our lives. Thank you for giving us reasons to smile. Amen.