Be Happy

"I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live"- Ecclesiastes 3:12 (NIV).

I had a 9th grade student, years ago, who always had a smile on her face. Her name was Julia. You would think her smile was because she came from an affluent family, was a stunningly beautiful girl, and, to top it off, was one of the most gifted students I've ever taught. Her smile was always radiant and present, each and every morning. Yet, what wasn't visible, was that she had reasons to not smile: other girls were jealousy cruel to her, her boyfriend became so controlling that she had to break up with him, and then she broke her back playing soccer. Under her clothing, she wore her brace for the remainder of the school year. I was the Academic Team coach; Julia was my team captain and star player. I can remember being at competitions and she would lie down on the floor between rounds to relieve her back pain. She would lie there smiling, strategizing about the next team we were competing against. I'll never forget Julia's smile. Just the mention of her name, brings back the image of her smiling face. It makes me ponder what image I will leave behind. Will it be one of anxiousness, complaining, fear, sorrow, defeatism, or anger? Which appears the most Christ-centered? Yes, Julia was a Christian and she shared her faith and happiness, with me and others, through her smiles.