The Lord bless
you and keep you; the Lord make the Lord’s face to shine upon you
and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up the Lord’s countenance
upon you, and give you peace. - Numbers 6:24-26
There is nothing
like a smile. When we are afraid or hurt, and we see someone we love
and see them smile at us, it is hard not to smile back! God reminds
us that God’s presence is always there, smiling at us, being kind
to us. But sometimes, when we are afraid, or when we have been hurt,
our first thought is to fight back, to hurt back. But God reminds us
that the power of a smile, the power of kindness, and the power of
love can help us not to hurt others, and remind us that God is with
us. One smile, one kind word, one act of kindness can be the
beginning of peace. Like ripples in the water when we throw in one
small stone, your act of kindness can help bring peace can reach many
other people. When we smile, when we are kind, even through our
tears, through our fear, we help other people to feel God’s love
and peace. And we feel better, too! It is not always easy, but God
is there, shining God’s face upon us, smiling to let us know God is
with us. You can start the ripples of peace in the world with just
one smile, one act of kindness!
*****
Rev. Teresa
“Terri” Hord Owens is the Senior Minister at First Christian
Church of Downers Grove, IL. She is excited by the church’s heart
for mission and its focus on families and children. FCCDG serves
children locally through the PADS homeless ministry, and with an
annual back-to-school fair, serving nearly 700 each year with
backpacks, school supplies, health education and screenings,
haircuts, food, games and prizes. The church also supports an
orphanage and camp in Belarus with an annual giving campaign,
supporting 25-30 children in camp each year. Terri is also the Dean
of Students at the University of Chicago Divinity School, and is an
alumna of the Divinity School, and of the Disciples Divinity House
in Chicago. She serves on the boards of HELM and Christian
Theological Seminary. She and her husband of 29 years, Walter, have
an adult son, Mitchell.
*****
A Little More…
One Good Deed by Terri Fields -
www.amazon.com/One-Good-Deed-Terri-Fields/dp/1467734799
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