Little Smiles from Little Signs

I got in my car this morning and I noticed that the little ceremic angel I have hanging from my rear view mirror was flipped over the top of the mirror. Its kind of a family joke. My son gave me this cute little angel ornament for Christmas one year; the angel is holding a sign that says, “Mom.” He said it reminded him of me because I was his angel. 🙂 (Aw!) Anyway, I keep it on the mirror in my car as a sweet reminder of our special love. But my husband just insists on messing with that little thing, and we have play fights over it all the time. If we’re in the car together, he will flick it or spin it and I’ll get on to him for making my little angel dizzy. Or, if I’m not in the car, he will flip the angel over the top of the mirror and leave it hanging there, all goofy, and wait for me to notice; of course, when I notice, he says he didn’t do it and blames our daughter for it. Its all stupid, I know, but its just one of thoese silly things in life that you have to be family to get.

This morning, there she was, flipped over the top of the mirror. I know my husband was the only one in my car and I know he did it just so I would find it, as a silly reminder to me that he was there. The minute I saw it, I smiled and laughed to myself and, of course, returned it to it’s proper position. As I thought about this whole thing, the Lord began to show me how, even in something so goofy, I can find bits and pieces of Him in my everyday life.

Jesus, the source that my husband reflects, will often do something, and then He will just quietly leave it lying around for me to find later. Some of these things He does just so He can watch me smile when I find them. He will leave little reminders of His presence so that, when I find them later, I’ll know He was there, thinking about me, and preparing my way before I got there.

When I open my Bible and I find a scripture that jumps off the page and speaks to my heart, I know that Jesus was there first; He walked the walk that He asks me to follow, and He is showing me the best way to get from point A to point B. I always get so excited when that happens…the little “ah-ha!” light goes on and my face beams with joy. How that must bless my friend, Jesus, Who left it there for me!

Or when I’m going through life and someone gives me an encouraging word and I recognize it, not as a word so much from them, but from Him…and I smile. Jesus knows I’ve caught Him in the act again and it gives him great pleasure to see the encouragement I’ve received from His little gift.

There are little gems left all around us every day…little presents left by the Master. Perhaps its the coo of a baby or the sound of a rushing stream…maybe it’s in beholding the grandure of the mountains or the infinite beauty of a sunset that was created special and unique, just for you, just for this moment. Look at the things that make you smile today. Look at the unexpected joy that pops up, seemingly from nowhere, then recognize where it really came from. Jesus is thinking about you today, and as you smile, look up and acknolwledge that you know it was Him who gave you the grin that is spread across your face. It’s He who put the laughter into your belly that is bubbling up out of your mouth. It’s He who has given you a peace that passes all understanding.

Thank you, Jesus, for being so ever-present and for loving me so much. Thanks for caring about my smile. Thanks for making me laugh. Thanks for showing me You are here.