It's a beautiful day.  I'm trying to get some work done.  It's been a great week so far after getting some clarity from the Lord.  I almost said, "Finally", in that last sentence.  That just shows that I am no better than anyone else!

None of us are, you know.  We are all flawed.  We are all humans, and all make mistakes.  All humans fall short.  Also, we sin.  It's true.  Admit or not.  Even when we won't admit it to ourselves, God knows what we are and what we do.

There have been two extremely unkind individuals that crossed my path today.  Initially, they annoyed me, and I wanted to say unkind things in return, but I refrained.  It is not easy to stifle our human reactions in lieu of responding or ignoring.  It's not easy to control our human emotions, especially when things cause stress, headache or hardship.  However, it feels good when you do not let unkind people get the best of you.  It is truly, truly good.

So, I did some shifting.  When the first person tried to steal my smile, I actually opened my mouth to be just as kind.  Instead, I took a deep breath.  I did lose my smile for a while but brought it right back.  Smiles are beautiful things that God gifted us with, and we need to use them!  It takes just as many muscles to smile as it does to frown, or so they say, but smiling shapes the mood in an upward and upright direction.  Frowns just bring you down.  Remember that!  

After the second unkind encounter of the day, I shifted my thoughts again.  I actually felt sorry that the person is focused on things that are harmful to them.  I noticed that they were frowning.  I prayed for them to find their smile. 

In neither instance did I say a word.  I stepped back and thought before speaking.  That is a blessing, too.  As an old friend used to tell me, "God gave us one mouth and two ears.  Therefore, we should use our ears twice as much."  Amen to that!  We do not always have to respond with words.  Sometimes silence is golden!

Now, I am going to shift again.  Today is Good Friday.  As a Christian, it is time to think about Jesus and what an amazing thing He did by dying on the cross for my sins, and yours, and everyone else's.  We are forgiven.  How extraordinary!  Let's not lose sight of Jesus, no matter what crosses your path on any given day.  He is risen!

Enjoy this beautiful rendition of the song, "Hallelujah!"