What Are They?
Have you ever been delighted by something and felt like God was smiling? I have. This week, I noticed this patch of happiness—blooming in February! It was one of the smiles of God. These resilient flowers struggle through the snow every year and are the first to pop their little heads and trumpet that spring is coming. The groundhog had barely dozed off again this year after his February 2nd duty when they first appeared during a warm spell. Because it was February, snow inevitably returned and covered their cheerfulness with a cold blanket. Not daunted by the temporary setback, they reappeared when the snow melted again, brightening my life a second time.
They are Snow Drops and bloom through the snow, but when one of our granddaughters was four, she called them “Winter Drips.” It was so close, and we loved it so much that we adopted the new name.
The flowers have usually been up for a while before anyone thinks to look for them by the wood pile when snow still covers the ground. But when we do, it’s like catching a glimpse of one of the smiles of God. It’s not a huge event that bolsters faith, but a quiet glimpse of his goodness.
All the smiles of God aren’t flower-related, but the day I walked past the room in the second photo and saw the beam of sunshine highlighting the arrangement on the table, I knew he was smiling. It was breathtaking and only lasted a few minutes.
A Spectacular Smile
Last summer, my husband and I travelled to the East Coast, and we had only one day when whale watching would fit into our schedule. Unfortunately, the day dawned foggy, rainy, and cool, but the tour proceeded anyway. When we finally arrived where the whales gathered, the drizzle stopped, the fog cleared, and the whales came to play. We had the best time watching three sets of moms and calves romp and entertain us at different times, along with a single here or there. It was a thrilling experience, and as we began our journey back to the harbour, a long distance away, the weather closed in again. God smiled for our little group and the people in other tour boats that day. It was a beautiful gift from an amazing God.
Biblical Smiles
As I look into scripture, I catch little inferences that God is smiling. The first ones appear in the creation story. On the third day of creation, God separated the water and dry land, and Genesis 1:10b says, “And God saw that it was good” (NIV). Can you picture God looking at his handiwork and being so happy with the result that he breaks into a big grin? He smiled a lot that week because that statement repeats in Genesis 1:12,18,21, and 25. Verse 31 describes the grand finale, where after creating man, he surveyed all that he made and said, “And it was very good.” His pleasure is evident in that declaration, and his face must have reflected his joy with the broadest smile imaginable.
Another of his smiles in the Bible is in the story of Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:13–17. If you would like to read the short passage, click here: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+3%3A13%E2%80%9317&version=NIV.
Regardless of how often I read it, the image of Jesus rising out of the water after being baptized by John, the heavens opening, and the spirit of God descending in the form of a dove and resting on him (Matthew 3:16) warms my heart. The words that followed that event voiced God’s approval of his son. However, in my mind, the picture of the dove descending from heaven and landing on Jesus is the smile that preceded the affirmation.
Have You Seen the Smiles of God?
Are you attuned to the smiles of God? Often, they are little things like the rain stopping long enough for you to load or unload groceries or hearing children laugh and delight in a simple pleasure. When you notice one, it’s a refreshing surprise that brightens your day.
In the Comments section below, please share the smiles of God you’ve experienced. Let’s encourage one another with the goodness of God.
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness.”
Zephaniah 3:17a (ESV)
May you be blessed with many divine smiles this week,
Brenda Erb Roberts
If you missed the previous post, “From Misery to Magic,” click the link here:
If you need some amusement, read “When a Directionally Challenged Person Navigates”:
https://brendaerbroberts.com/when-a-directionally-challenged-person-navigates/
Thank you for sharing! I too have experienced many of His smiles. One of the first instances was when I was a very young Christian. I’d been pondering over something in Scripture for many days, trying to understand. Then one day as I was driving, all of a sudden the light came on and I remember saying out loud, “Oh, I get it!” Instantly, I heard His voice saying, “It took you long enough.” But His voice wasn’t chastizing me, but rather He was teasing me. I could hear the smile in His voice. I was so dumbfounded. I had no idea that He had a sense of humour. I started to laugh so hard the tears were streaming down my face to the point that I thought I might have to pull over. Following that interaction, I started watching Scripture and underlining all the sections where it talked about God’s emotions. We have a very emotional God which of course makes sense if we’re made in His Image. As I write this so many memories come flooding back of the various ways He has expressed His emotions in my life. I do of course love His smiles the best!
What a lovely memory, Diane. Thank you for sharing it and brightening my day!
So true Brenda, thank you for sharing! Very encouraging!
When I see the little birds out in the winter, it reminds me how awesome God is! All the blessings before our eyes. I have a dusty rose plant in my flower bed that has been there for two winters. When it came time to clean up the flower beds in the fall, I just couldn’t remove it, it was growing strong & so white & perfect. It still is !
Gods smiling! Every time I look at it!
Beautiful, Jayne! Thank you for sharing it.