Cheryl was raised in a good Christian home. Her parents were very active in the church. They often brought people home for lunch after the Sabbath services. Many visitors came and went from their household. Her parents especially had a burden for people who were from the poorer class and very needy. They loved to bring them food and clothing and tell them of the love of Jesus. There was always a happy atmosphere in their home. Several times her parents had volunteered to do missionary work overseas in countries that were quite impoverished. Cheryl learned many valuable lessons from her parents. Although her sister sometimes was not as accepting of the sacrifices her parents made, as she felt they should spend more on family—specifically herself, Cheryl was appreciative of her parents’ sacrifices and hoped to be able to follow in their footsteps.
When Cheryl was 19 years old, she left home to attend college. She was noted by her friends for being a bubbly, outgoing and friendly young woman who was willing to help anyone who may ask her. She seemed to always have a ready smile on her face, even in the most difficult and challenging circumstances. Some of the assignments and projects were very difficult, but she always smiled and trusted God to help her with her studies. No matter how busy she was with her school work, she always made sure to take time every morning and evening to talk to God and study the Bible. She knew that only with the help of God could she succeed in life and be a blessing for those she came into contact with. Cheryl had joined a Christian youth group where she was quite active and had made some good friends.
Because she loved helping people, Cheryl was studying Sociology and hoped one day to graduate and become a Christian counsellor for troubled teenagers.
At the age of 20, she was in her second year of university and her teacher in the Sociology class, Miss Bird, was very enthusiastic and inspiring. In the last week of the semester she gave them one more project for the year. She called this project the “Project Smile”.
During the course of the next few days, each student was asked to smile at three complete strangers. They could not be on campus, but had to be random people on the street. They had to smile and try to engage them in a positive conversation, and see their reactions. Cheryl, being a friendly person already and often smiled at everyone and said hello often, figured this would be a very simple project.
The next day Cheryl and her friends walked into town to visit the local café to buy some lunch. It was a cold winter’s day and although the sun was shining, the wind was blowing hard, sending a chill straight to their bones. They were happy to step inside the café to buy a sandwich and a warm drink. This was one of their favourite places to go for lunch because the large picture window looked out over the fields and the white snow was sparkling in the sunshine.
As the girls were in line, waiting to be served, all of a sudden everyone around them began to back away, including the girls, except for Cheryl that is.
Cheryl did not move an inch. An initial feeling of panic welled up inside of her as she turned to see why they had moved. As she turned around, she smelled a horrible “dirty body” smell, and there standing behind her were two poor homeless men. As she looked down at the short gentleman close to her, he was smiling. His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God’s light as he searched for acceptance. He said, “Good day” to Cheryl as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. Cheryl just stood there and allowed the men to go in front of her.
The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. Cheryl realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his helper. Cheryl held her tears as she stood there waiting for them. The young lady at the counter asked the man what they wanted to order.
He said, “Just one cup of Chamomile tea is all, Miss” because that was all they could afford. If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. The men just wanted to be warm.
Cheryl’s heart really felt warmed. The compulsion to embrace the little man with the blue eyes was very great, but she just stood there and watched them go and take a seat in the back corner.
Cheryl now noticed that all eyes in the café were watching what she would do. They seemed to be judging her every action. Cheryl’s friends had gathered themselves together and ordered their sandwich and hot drink. Then it was Cheryl’s turn. The woman behind the counter smiled and asked Cheryl what she wanted. Cheryl ordered her own sandwich and then she ordered two more, and two bowls of soup, asking the woman to put the extra meals on a separate tray.
Cheryl then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen to sit at. She smiled the biggest smile she could as she put the tray on the table and laid her hand on the blue-eyed gentleman’s cold hand. He looked up at her, with tears in his eyes, and said, “Thank you. I was so hungry and I prayed to God this morning asking Him to provide a meal for us. All I had money for was one cup of tea and I was going to let my friend drink most of it. I am not living on the street because I want to. I lost my job and my home and have had a hard time finding another home, and taking care of Charlie here has been a challenge, but he needs my help. I was going to go somewhere else, but Charlie insisted on coming here, even though it is a little more expensive. I am glad now that Charlie insisted.” Cheryl leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, with a smile on her face, “I did not do this for you only. God is here working through me to give you hope.” She then gave him a religious pamphlet which she always had in her purse. And she walked away to join her friends.
Cheryl started to cry as she walked away. When she sat down her friends smiled at her and said, “That is why God gave you your smile and willing heart to give others hope.” They then bowed their heads to thank God for their meal. They knew that only because of the grace that God had given them were they able to give. That day showed Cheryl and her friends the pure light of God’s sweet love.
Cheryl returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. She handed in “her project” and the instructor read it. Then Miss Bird looked up at Cheryl and said, “Can I share this?” Cheryl slowly nodded as the teacher got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when Cheryl realized with greater understanding that we, as human beings, are called to be tools in the hands of God to share His love to heal people. In this manner we will be find our happiness and be healed ourselves. In her own way, she had touched the people at the café, her friends, her teacher and every soul that was in the classroom on the last night of the semester. Cheryl had learned one of the biggest lessons she would ever learn: God’s unconditional love and acceptance.
God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest. Thus He provides for all people. Some have more, and some have less. He blesses some with more to test them, to see what they will do with their wealth. Will they keep it to themselves and buy bigger houses and cars or will they give to help those who have less? Jesus said, “for ye have the poor always with you.” Matthew 26:11. May God help each one of us to help those who are less fortunate than we are.
There is a song that goes, “Smile, God loves you, He’s your dearest friend. Smile God loves you, He’ll love you ‘til the end.”
Try the project “smile” yourself and see what kind of blessing and happiness you can bring to others. Smile to everyone you meet—not just your friends and family, those well dressed and clean. Smile to everyone. The blessing will return to your heart. You will feel very happy. The other person will also be very happy. This is a very simple way to help others, and as you smile, God will open doors for you to be more of a blessing than you ever imagined possible.