Have you ever stopped to thank God for the small gifts He’s given you? Things like your laugh, your smile, or your sense of humor? To be honest, I never did.. until about a year ago when I was getting ready to leave for the Race.
One Sunday after church I was talking to a man who was very interested in my trip, and my spiritual walk with the Lord in general. He had quickly become one of my biggest supporters, and a huge encouragement to me. And then, out of the blue, he told me what a wonderful smile I had.
This is not something I had never heard before, but it was the first time I really heard it in a way that seemed to come straight from God Himself. This man wasn’t complementing me on my physical beauty, but rather the heart that was behind it. He saw something in me that I had never really noticed in myself before.
I can still remember the conversation like it was yesterday. There was something he said that really changed my life – not in this big extravagant way, but in a way that would change my thinking, make me reevaluate God, and make me truly cherish the small gifts I have received from Him.
He told me that I should thank God every day for my smile. To be honest, I went home that night and did, but after that night my mind become cluttered by other things. I began to thank God less and less for things like that, until I had forgotten all together to do so.
Well our God is a good God, and has a way of gently reminding us of His goodness – doesn’t He?!?
For our last weekend spent in Trat, we had saved our free days to got to Koh Chang (also known as Elephant Island). This is a beautiful place, and would be like a mini one day vacation for the team. We were all so excited to rest, relax, and find some quiet – if only for a night.
Well, God had different plans for my team and me. We went out Friday night to walk the streets, and throughout the course of the night God brought a handful of people into our path that we got to witness to, pray for, and encourage. It is funny how I always seem to have some of the best God talks on days I planned not to.
As we ended our night, the last man I talked to told me over and over how he saw something different I me – in my smile. He said he trusted what I said because of my smile. In that moment I stopped, and played back the conversation I had with the man in church before I left.
I smiled even bigger after that, praising Jesus silently for the reminder of what a gift it really was. God used my smile to soften the heart of that man enough to allow me to share with him the good news of Jesus, and the forgiveness that awaited him.
So, let me pass on some advice that changed my life, and is being used to change lives of so many others..
Thank God for the small blessings He has given you. Because He is able to use them in BIG ways!
All my best,
Bri
