Have you ever thought about what a difference a cheerful disposition makes? There is a saying that goes like this: "When mother is unhappy, everyone is unhappy." The same is true, I think, of daughters. We can have the power to make the atmosphere of our homes glad and cheerful, or otherwise.
When you wake up in the morning, do you greet your family members with a bright, "Good morning! How did you sleep?" or do you look at them with your eyelids drooping and give them a drowsy, "Hi..."? I will admit that more often than I would like my answer to that would be the latter! Yes, we all have our good and bad days. However, we should try to have a cheerful smile on our faces no matter what mood we are in - and that's a challenge.
What about when your mom asks you to do something that is distasteful to you? Do you slouch and reluctantly do as she bids you, or do you cheerfully respond, "Yes, Mom!" with a smile? This is a very difficult aspect of cheerfulness, I know. But also think - it's not only your parents that you are pleasing when you go about with a cheerful heart. You are also pleasing the Lord!
As you are walking down the street, you may notice that most people do not smile, much less even make eye contact with other pedestrians. They are focused on their agenda, where they are headed, whether or not they will get there on time, and then on to the next thing on their list. Next time you are out, make it a goal to give a cheerful smile to each person you meet - you never know but that it happens to be just the thing they need.
Related Bible Verses:
Proverbs 15: 13 ~ "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."
2 Corinthians 9:7 ~ "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
