Glum? – 25 April 2007

Sitting in my car in stationary traffic recently, I decided to look closely at the faces of all the people driving in the other direction. As you can imagine there were not any happy smiling faces to be seen. In the privacy of our cars and when we are alone you can see “Who You Are When No One’s Looking”. It’s not a pretty sight.

My sister told me recently that a Latvian woman she is helping has found it hard to adjust to smiling and saying “thank you” since arriving in the UK – two cultural differences she found difficult. Perhaps there is not much to smile about in everyday life in Latvia? – my observation is there seems not to be much to smile about in England either! Glumness is a state of mind that is all too common in today’s world.

If you are happy – tell your face! If you are not happy, think about life from God’s perspective and through the eye-glass of eternity. Let this be our prayer:

Your anger lasts a little while, but your kindness lasts for a lifetime.
At night we may cry, but when morning comes we will celebrate.
I was carefree and thought, "I'll never be shaken!"
You, LORD, were my friend, and you made me strong as a mighty mountain.
But when you hid your face, I was crushed.
I prayed to you, LORD, and in my prayer I said,
"What good will it do you if I am in the grave?
Once I have turned to dust, how can I praise you or tell how loyal you are?
Have pity, LORD! Help!"
You have turned my sorrow into joyful dancing.
No longer am I sad and wearing sackcloth.
I thank you from my heart, and I will never stop singing your praises,
my LORD and my God. Psalm 30:5-12 [CEV]

Amen.