A Universal Language

Recently as I went with my husband for a much-needed outing of running errands, I made a startling discovery. There is a universal language of communication that crosses all boundaries known to man.

I discovered what this language was as I waited in a long line at our post office to mail some packages. There were unhappy children, frustrated employees, and a problem with a computer. Those things together led to a few grumpy people inside the building.

The post office employees would call out to those in line for a pick-up or a passport. Each time they did, I noticed a young lady ahead of me struggling to understand the words being said. She didn't understand English very well and kept turning to others to see if somehow they could communicate with her.

When she turned around, others would look at her with blank stares, and you could see the confusion in her eyes as she struggled to understand. I finally noticed a pick-up slip in her hand. She had been waiting all this time when she could have picked up her package more than ten minutes earlier.

I tapped her shoulder and pointed to the line where the last gentlemen had just gone to get his package. She looked at me, confused. I realized then that she was unaware of what I was saying, so I touched her ticket, smiled, and pointed to the line again. I knew that she understood because she smiled back and walked off to get in the other line.

When the post office employee took her ticket and went to retrieve her package, she turned and smiled at me. I understood. She said, "Thank you."

The most wonderful part of the story was when her package arrived, and she saw who it was from. Her face lit up, her smile evident from ear to ear. Even though the words she spoke were in a different language, her smile said, "I'm so happy to have this package!" When she passed me and toward the exit, she smiled at me again. This time it was even bigger than before. I understood.

I thought I would have some fun and test this. I smiled at my husband when I got back to the lobby, where he had been waiting for me. He smiled right back. Our smiles said, "I missed you! I'm glad that we are together again!" Then I smiled at people as we walked to the parking lot. They smiled back. It was as if we were saying, "Hi!" Some smiled so grandly it was as if they were saying, "Hi, and have a great day!"

This was amazing to me. I tend to just do what I need to do when out in public, but this taught me a powerful lesson. I could possibly change the course of someone's day by communicating with them with a smile. That's a beautiful thing.

Have you smiled at someone today?

RESPOND:

Father, how can I reflect You at work today? At home? In the community? Help me to remember how my smile, my simple words, and my actions can reflect Your saving work in the world. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

In Beautiful in God’s Eyes, Elizabeth George guides women through the popular Bible verses in Proverbs 31 to show how God defines beauty and reveals His plan for a woman’s success.

REFLECT:

Look for ways you can be more attentive to the needs of others. Let your smile cross all communication boundaries.

REMEMBER:

Your smile can encourage others and change the course of their day.