A Special Smile

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I was drawn to this woman from the minute I saw her. She sat quietly in her little corner but her smile had a magnetic force that was irresistible. We were in Funchal, Madeira and she was taking part in one of the many Christmas events that they had all over town. I started chatting to her in my broken Portuguese and even though our exchange was basic, the warmth that emanated from her was tangible.

The thing that stayed with me most was the expression in her eyes. She truly smiled through those eyes. When she heard I was from Africa she handed me a handful of goats hair as a gift - little did she know that the real gift she gave me was so much more precious!

This morning, as I prayed about the Lord laying a message on my heart, I was led back to this picture and the following piece in the Bible:

'No-one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on a stand, so that those who come may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad; your body also is full of darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you.' Luke 11:33-36




Comments

  1. PamelaFebruary 15, 2012 at 6:11 AM

    Beautiful! My daughter just returned from Africa. Seeing the roofs on the homes held in place with rocks then hearing the people singing "My God is Enough" humbled me. What lights they are! The kind I want to be.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. pilgrimFebruary 15, 2012 at 8:07 AM

      Hi Pamela! Yep, pretty amazing!Our country certainly is a 'rainbow nation' with so many people still having to make do with just the basics. Seeing God at work in the lives of people who have so little is very humbling indeed. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  2. Esther JoyFebruary 15, 2012 at 6:42 AM

    The eyes are the windows of the soul... I think His Light often shines through eyes...

    ReplyDelete
  3. a joyful noiseFebruary 16, 2012 at 6:42 PM

    May our eyes ever be focused on Jesus as He leads us where we should go - - to Africa, to Portugal, to Funchal, Madeira or down the street! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Stacy @ Heartprints of GodFebruary 18, 2012 at 1:36 PM

    Awww...this is beautiful.
    It is one thing to see His light shining out of those around us, it is another to appreciate it. You have been given the blessing of both. How rich you are! :)

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    Replies
    1. pilgrimFebruary 20, 2012 at 8:08 AM

      Stacy - it seems as if I'm surrounded by people who are just as blessed out here in blogland! :)

      Delete
  5. ShariFebruary 21, 2012 at 1:29 PM

    I loved this picture. You truly captured who she was. Thank you for sharing today and letting your light shine for Jesus!
    It's so nice to meet you!

    ReplyDelete

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