By Small and Simple Things

     A smile, I've always thought, could change the world. It's so simplistic, but to some people it could mean so much. Hearing people say that they're astonished that I can be smiling all the time has always brought me to a stand still. How couldn't you be happy when you have so much that others don't?
     I once read a book about a boy who tried commiting suicide. He said he was at such a low point in his life that he thought the whole world couldn't care less about him. As he rode a bus to a bridge where he had planned to take a jump that would end his life, he said to himself, "If one person smiles at me, I won't jump; if one person asks me if I'm okay, I won't do it." He ended up jumping but surviving by a miracle. Still, this haunts me. Would I be the one to smile at a stranger on a bus? A simple smile could have changed his life right there. From then on, I've decided to smile. It doesn't take much. It's just a quick flash of teeth while making eye contact.
     I started thinking about who I am and what I am doing for those around me. Then I read a scripture that nailed it right on the head. Matthew 5: 14-16 in the bible reads, "Ye are the ^alight of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a ^acandle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your ^alight so shine before men, that they may see your good ^bworks, and ^cglorify your Father which is in heaven." I learned that I don't need to do something grand to change someone's life. I just need to live a life I can be pround of and others can be lifted by my attitude. The best way I've learned, is to do the simple service of smiling.
     Have you ever thought about what can make the difference between life and death? Have you considered that a smile could be the answer? A famous scripture tells us, "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass."