The Light of a Smile
Just as I pulled up to a stop light, a work van changed lanes to pull behind me. Glancing in my rear view mirror, I was astonished to see face of a friend I hadn’t seen for many years sitting in the passenger seat and laughing with his companions.
When I knew him last, he had made some terrible choices and stumbled into a world of darkness and pain. The thoughts of him that floated into my mind from time to time over the years dragged with them a trail of deep sadness.
Now suddenly here he was, alight with laughter on his way to a job, looking healthy and strong and well. He wouldn’t have recognized my car or known it was me gazing through my sunglasses into the rear view mirror. And I had only a moment to take in the glow of his smile. But it was like the light of a thousand suns shining on my heart, and in just those few seconds, all the sorrow I had felt for him lifted and burned away.
“He’s happy!” I said to myself. “He’s well!”
You know, that’s all we want from loved ones who have fallen into error: to know they found their bearings again, to know they’re happy. What a healing realization the experience was for me! Not only because the sorrow I had been carrying for my friend vanished, but because I realized that those who had seen me during my own sojourn into darkness were at peace about me now, that my smile, too, had the power to dispel all the sadness I once brought into their lives.
Finding the path to true joy is a miraculously healing thing, not only for the one who walks the path, but for all those who are touched by the light that radiates from him as well. For the sake of all who love you, choose joy.
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