FROWNING UPSIDE DOWN
Shhhhhhh, listen; as another school year ends, can you hear the parents, teachers and faculty yelling ‘We did it!’ You all have been through the ringer. From transitioning to instructing kids from their homes to returning back to the classrooms. Yes, You did it!
Before we let you shut down the building for a few months, we are trying to make one last visit. I have three grands who bring such joy to my heart. Today was grand number two’s turn. The night before, her mom shared that she should expect a surprise at lunch time. My inquisitive grand tried to guess, but her mom wasn’t given in no matter how many times she blurted out the wrong response.
On the way to grand number two’s school, I daydreamed about what kind of facial expression we were going to see displayed on her face. I pulled in the school parking lot, got out the car and hurriedly walked in the front door and checked in. After I was directed to lunch area, I sat down. I thought hmm, maybe I’ll record her expression, but I knew it was a no-no to film other peoples’ kids without permission. So, I sat, waited and watched as other adults, possibly moms, dads, grandpas, grandmas, nanas or pop-pops showed up. I lifted my shoulders up to my ear, it didn’t really matter who they were; no doubt it would be a special time for whoever belonged to them.
The laughter and gibberish got closer and closer. My ears were filled with feet shuffling in a marching like formation. The lines swerved from side to side, these little people with bodyguards (their teachers) passed by me in the direction of the cafeteria.
A few moments later, I saw her, but she didn’t see me. I didn’t move, I wanted to capture the moment she recognized me. Her face was full of excitement, as she surveyed the courtyard, until she didn’t seem to find what she was looking for. All of a sudden, I noticed her eyes seemed to become slightly dull and her lips begin to slowly turn into a frown.
The line kept moving and a few more steps and her gaze locked with mine. Immediately her face lit up and her slight frown turned upside down. She ran over to me and wrapped her arms around my neck. ‘Nana!’
After securing her lunch, she returned to where I was sitting. We chatted away as she ate until it was time for her to return to her classroom, and off I went back to work.
As I was driving, my mind drifted. I thought of us adults. Like kids, we too experience times when we are anticipating something to happen, maybe someone to surprise us. We make plans, but on occasions; things don’t turn out the way we expect and like grand number two’s, our smile can turn upside down.
You may end up with that look of despair or maybe you feel like you are drowning in a pool of disappointment. But I am reminded of a song that Tammy Faye Bakker used to sing. The hook went something like this: ‘Jesus takes a frown and turns it upside down and Oops there goes a smile. When I’m feeling sad Jesus makes me glad, Oops there goes a smile.’
Did I hear you ask, why am I sharing this with you? Well for one; May is Mental Health Awareness Month and second, because it doesn’t matter if you are a child or an adult, regardless of our age; there will be times where things don’t turn out like we’d hope.
When you find yourself in this season, we pray that you stay focused, keep shuffling and moving toward Jesus’s’ open arms. He promises and He will always, turn your smile; upside down.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV
Sheri is available for seminars, conferences, evangelistic outreaches, youth events, bible studies, workshops, or book signings for your event. To contact or book Sheri for your engagement, submit a request by US Mail: Pausing With God Ministries P.O. Box 9172 Fleming Island, FL 32006 or call (904) 610-4947 or feel free to email at PausingWithGod@gmail.com.
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#Smile #Frown #Be Encouraged #BeEngaged #BeEmpowered
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