{"id":1995,"date":"2022-07-12T10:26:17","date_gmt":"2022-07-12T14:26:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2022\/07\/12\/i-found-joy-in-his-smile\/"},"modified":"2022-07-12T10:26:17","modified_gmt":"2022-07-12T14:26:17","slug":"i-found-joy-in-his-smile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2022\/07\/12\/i-found-joy-in-his-smile\/","title":{"rendered":"I found joy in his smile."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I happened to look down at the gas light and noticed it stated low fuel so I decided to get off of the interstate and go down Two Notch before making it to the appointment at the dealership. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Normally on every exit you will find a homeless veteran, woman with her baby, a whole family, or sometimes just single individuals holding a sign. This morning it was an older gentleman with kind eyes and a warm smile holding up a sign. I didn\u2019t think to read it, just rolled my window down and handed him the money that was in the arm rest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The light was still on red so I sat and chatted with him a few minutes. By surprise he didn\u2019t do what some folks do, grab the money and then go to the next car looking for spare change. Although I didn\u2019t get his name, I had a delightful conversation with him for those few moments at the still red light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He mentioned that he normally stands on Forest Drive but had to move because someone tried to rob him with a machete. He normally sleeps in a tent until he can save up to get a sleeping bag but since he had to leave Forest Drive, he now only has a tarp. Out of everything this man said, I never heard one complaint. He spoke of the \u201cbright side\u201d of everything. He even went on to say every weekend he goes to the library to fill out job applications and will go to the nearest store to use the phone if someone allows him to, to check on the status of his application. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m so grateful for the man with the kind eyes and warm smile. I\u2019m so grateful I decided to get off on Two Notch to stop and get gas verses heading straight for the dealership. You see it is a blessing in disguise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had just taken my kids to camp and as I drove down North Main, the sadness that has been in my eyes formed into tears. Tears filled with emptiness, sorrow, pain, grief, and the list goes on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever found yourself where you are just numb to life? Like you have experienced so much hurt and despair that you are in some sort of fog or daze as you go through life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I mean sure you function perfectly fine around people but when you get by yourself the raw emotions scream out at you. Maybe it\u2019s just me!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So many folks are quick to judge you but don\u2019t even know the half of your story or even care to know a third of it. We all have a story to tell, we all have a story to share and instead of being judgmental thinking the worse in every situation or assume we lack faith, why can\u2019t we just say less but provide something as simple as a warm smile or hug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know many of us have unspoken prayers and although we aren\u2019t verbal about it, those needs are still there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I pray for the day we can all learn to be genuinely kind to one another, show compassion, stop passing judgment, be supportive, and be present in someone\u2019s time of need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some folks need an outlet. Not the weed, cigarettes, liquor, or fast women that society will try to push on you; but the genuine care and concern from friends and family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don\u2019t know who this message is for but I put my heart out there and my love as well. With so many hurting souls, more warm smiles and kind hearts will help brighten up our day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So don\u2019t be selfish- allow God\u2019s light to shine through you and be that smile, hot meal, transportation, listening ear, tight hug, or prayer that someone standing in the need of encouragement needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever your gifts or talents are, use them to glorify God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talking to a friend yesterday I realized I had to crawl back out of my shell and put my heart out so maybe one or two people could receive some words of encouragement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I drove <\/em>up to my home<\/em> and opened the door to my middle son <\/em>waiting at the steps for me. On the side of the road was a man who had the biggest smile, bigger than I\u2019ve had in a long time and he sleeps in a tarp he turned into a tent that he purchased at the dollar store. I say this to say don\u2019t ever think because a person \u201chas it all\u201d that they are better off than you. Don\u2019t ever take for granted the silent battles we all face. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

God is in the midst and He hears, sees, and knows all. Remember everything we go through, we are never alone. We can take it to God in prayer and trust Him to handle it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you receive todays message, I urge you to go out and spread the love of God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amen somebody. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I happened to look down at the gas light and noticed it stated low fuel so I decided to get off of the interstate and go down Two Notch before making it to the appointment at the dealership. Normally on… Read moreI found joy in his smile.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1994,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[15],"tags":[159],"class_list":["post-1995","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-joy","tag-smilemore","content-layout-excerpt-thumb"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/d5499cdc-3f06-48a9-ba2f-cff040b1e67e.png?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":25,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2019\/09\/09\/my-personal-mission-statement\/","url_meta":{"origin":1995,"position":0},"title":"My Personal Mission Statement","author":"Whitnee","date":"September 9, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"My mission is to live a Christ-centered life. 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Yes you, that confidence you are wearing looks good on you ma\u2019am\/sir! What you say child?!!!\u2026You ask what confidence am I talking about? I mean where do I start? You see earlier a sweet friend of mine sent me a quote providing such joy and inspiration. 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