It’s #FridayFive time!  This week’s prompt is Smiles.  I like this one, it leaves a lot open to interpretation.  But over on her site, my friend Kelly describes it as a chance to take stock and be thankful throughout the week.  We don’t have to wait until Thanksgiving to be thankful for the people and things in our lives that make us smile.  So here’s my interpretation of #FridayFive – Smiles

#FridayFive – Smiles 

Excuse me Pastor Alicia
This past Sunday was a busy morning for me.  A lot of Sundays are busy but this one was especially busy because our Worship Director was out of town which mean that the upfront things we usually divide between three people were divided between two.  I had a lot of up front pieces and I was teaching in our Kids Club classroom as well.  My mind was racing for most of the morning.  There was this particular moment though that made me smile … I was standing in the hallway, talking to a member of our congregation when I suddenly felt this presence beside me.  It was one of our elementary kids standing about two feet to my left staring up at me and patiently waiting for me to be done talking.  I looked down at him and said hi and this huge grin spread across his face.  He just wanted to tell me there were lemons on the Hospitality table and that he had eaten 7 already … before service had even started.
There are SO many aspects of my job that I love but this one, the moments where my kids come up to me with an agenda – a moment from their week, a story about their teacher, a question about life – these moments are my favorite.  I love their little smiles and wide eyes as they watch for my reaction, wait for me to respond.  I love it so much.
Uncontrollable Laughter in Youth Group
We had middle school youth group this week.  One thing I love about these kids is that they are at that age where they get together and there is no controlling them.  I’m not saying our kids are disrespectful – they really aren’t. But there are these moments when I’m trying to talk about something with them and they get on a train of thought and just can’t get off.  Then someone says something funny and it just derails.  The laughter that comes after these moments is one of my favorite sounds.  They just can’t help it.  It’s contagious too because I look around at my leaders and they are all laughing too.  Seriously, if you need a good laugh, come sit in on youth group – you won’t regret it.
HI TIA – I LOVE YOU TIA – BYE TIA!
I try to touch base with my nieces every week, at least one moment where they hear my voice telling them that I love them.  Even if it’s quick, even if it’s just on speaker phone as they are going to school.  On a good week I get a whole conversation with each of them, telling me about their lives.  On a not so great week I get my middle niece saying “Are you ready to be done talking to me now?”  But I can’t hold it against her, she’s five and her attention span is not great.
But I’ve been noticing this trend with my youngest niece.  She’s been conditioned on what to say when she’s talking to me.  It’s probably because for a while she was learning to talk so my mom would say “Say I love you Tia” and she would repeat.  Now she will literally get on the phone and say “Hi Tia – I love you Tia – Bye Tia” and be done.  It’s hilarious and I love it.  Other times she kidnaps the phone and just babbles for five minutes.  There is no in between – what a joy 2 years old life is!
Long reunion hugs
I have a great group of friends. I’ve said it before.  But Monday morning found me having coffee and work time with a friend who is also a youth pastor.  I hadn’t seen her in a few weeks so when I got to her house, our hug was so long – like we hadn’t seen each other in weeks.  It was so good to be with her, talking about ministry, about life, about relationships – she’s a dear confidante and I can’t believe I am lucky enough to call her my friend and colleague in ministry.
Similarly, the previous Friday I hung out with our other two friends and the same thing happened.  I opened the door and was immediately embraced – and interrogated on the weeks we’ve been apart.  I wouldn’t trade these three women for the world.
A good ole fashion knowing smile
Ever have one of those moments where you’re in a group of people and something happens and you meet the eye of someone in the group and you share that smile – the one that says a whole lot without any words behind it.  I love those – I love the relationships behind them.  I had several of those this week and I loved each and every one of them.
What are your Five Smiles from this week?  What things made you smile and be appreciative of the world around you?