Does My Appearance Look Brighter?

      Have you ever walked into a room and looked around at the people in it?  In doing so, have you ever noticed a difference in the way some stand or sit?  Some may look you straight in the eye and smile.  Some may look up then quickly look back down.  Some may not look up at all.  In the past, I really didn't observe this.  Today, however, it seems to be the first thing I do.  I used to be that person who wouldn't look up at all.  I think there was something inside of me that said, "don't look at them, they'll figure you out."

      Are you afraid?  I know I was.  There was a time that I thought anyone could see my mistakes, almost as if they were written on my skin like nonfiction.  Like there were people standing around reading me, saying to each other, "look at chapter 3," or, "did you get to chapter 8 yet?"  I can giggle at that now.  I want people to read my autobiography.  You know what, I'll read it to you if you would like.  You might find it interesting.  Before, however, I was not about to let anyone know. 

      Let me tell you a little story.  There once was a woman who grew up thinking God was like a principal.  He had an office in heaven that you got sent to by parents, teachers, etc., when you had done something wrong.  She tried every day not to do anything wrong.  Every day, she failed.  She just knew that the number of check marks after her name on the big blackboard in heaven were going to send her right down to the pits of hell.  She walked around with her head down, her shoulders slouched, and made jokes about herself so that people would be too busy laughing to confront her sin.  One day, she got so tired, she cried out to God and asked Him why He was so mean.  He answered her.  You know what he said?  He said, "I love you.  You are forgiven, and I can't wait until you get here so I can spend more time with you."  Then He said, "While you're still there, why don't you read my book.  Its a good one.  It will help you understand me.  When you're done reading each day, why don't we sit awhile and talk about it."  The woman said, "Okay, sounds like a better plan than mine."  She read and read.  The more she read, the more she wanted to read, and the more she wanted to talk to God.  One day, she went into work.  Something strange started happening.  People were talking to her.  They were saying, You're glowing.  What is different about you.  There is a radiance about your face.  She ran to the mirror.  There was a smile there.

      Ecclesiastes 8:1
Who is like the wise man? Who knows the explanation of things?  WISDOM BRIGHTENS A MAN"S FACE and CHANGES ITS APPEARANCE. 

      I know the truth and my appearance has changed!  The face in the mirror is smiling because it knows that God is love and truth.  I know that he has forgiven me and the change in appearance is to get your attention so I can tell you all about it.