What Does Your Face Look Like?

I was sitting in the car while Jim went into a quick shop to get us a cup of coffee. I noticed a young woman coming out of the door, and she had a look on her face that was not pleasant. In fact, she looked really angry. Judging from the way she got into her car and slammed the door, I would say I was right about that. 

I didn’t know her. As far as I know, I had never seen her before. My impression of her was not very good based upon one thing – how her face looked.

Have you ever given any thought to how your face looks to other people? I’m not talking about how pretty or handsome your face may be, but how the expression on your face may look to others.

I began to think about different situations I had found myself in within the last few days. How many people had I come in contact with for the first time, and how did my face look to them?

I thought about the waitress who had waited on us when we ate out a few days earlier. Was I looking at her as though I was better than her because she was serving me, or did I have a smile on my face and a pleasant tone of voice? Were my eyes friendly or menacing?

I wondered about the clerk who checked me out at Walmart. Was I that friendly customer or the one you wish would never get in your line again? Do those I pass in the aisles want to smile back at me or avoid me because I look angry?

What about the person I went to visit in the hospital or at their home? Did my face say that I was glad to be there, or did it say that I was just doing my duty as a Christian?

What about my brothers and sisters in Christ where I worship regularly? Do I look happy to be there with them, or does my face say let’s just get this over so I can go on about my business?

Do the ladies in my Bible class see a woman who is happy to be there, or one who just feels inconvenienced by having to study and teach that class?

Does my husband see a happy, satisfied face? Do my children see a mother who seems pleased about things, or one who is never pleased about anything?

I think you get my point! You can fill in any of your own activities and the people you meet and ask yourself, “what does my face look like when I encounter them?”

Now you may be thinking, I don’t have to go around with a smile on my face all of the time just to please other people. And you are right! You don’t! But even a face that isn’t smiling can look one of two ways – peaceful or pained. I’m voting for peaceful.

I hope I never look to someone who only sees me one time, like that woman I saw at the quick shop. I hope anyone seeing my face would see someone who reflects the love of Christ. Even more importantly, I hope my actions would let those who see me know that Christ dwells within me.

“A glad heart makes a cheerful face…” (Proverbs 15:13).

To Receive Every Article from A Legacy of Faith through Email for Free, Click Here

AUTHOR: Donna Faughn