The Park Bench, Greensboro, NC
"I will never understand all the good that a simple smile can accomplish...
I see Jesus in everyone."! --Mother Teresa
An adventurous boy decided to find God one morning at a family picnic in a neighborhood park. He had packed a bag with a box of Krispy Krème donuts and a six-pack of Cheerwine soda. He noticed a white haired man sitting on a bench next to a woman and a wheel chair by his family’s table. The boy walked over to them, sat down on the grass and opened his picnic bag. He was about to take a drink from his soda when he offered them a donut. The woman declined, but the man gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a can of Carolina Cheerwine. Again, he smiled at him. The boy was so delighted he smiled a big smile back!
They sat there eating and smiling, but they never said a word. After they were finished, the woman helped the man into his wheel chair and everyone started to leave. But before the young boy had gone a few steps, both of them turned around and smiled a bright smile.
When the boy returned to his family’s table, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "Why are you so happy? He replied, "I just had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? He's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"
Meanwhile the elderly man, also radiant with joy, returned to the assisted living home with his wife. A nurse was stunned by the look of peace on his face and asked, "What did you do this morning that made you so happy?" He replied, "I had Cheerwine and donuts in the park with God. And you know, he's much younger than I expected, but he’s got a beautiful smile."
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. And most often, God’s priceless grace is dispensed through folks like you and me. When have you had the sense of joy as God blessed someone else through you?
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