The easiest way for those who are discouraged to have a change of outlook
to see their blessings is to look at those less fortunate than they are. 
It is in seeing the challenges of others that we find how blessed we truly
are and how much we have to be thankful for. We are to learn the lessons
that come before us and not turn a blind eye thinking only on our issues 
and hardships. The Bible declares Proverbs 28:26-27 “He that trusteth in
his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes 
shall have many a curse.” Be encouraged to see your blessings and do your
best to encourage and be helping towards those in need around you.

I hope this message encourages your heart to see your blessings and be one
who chooses to make a difference in the lives of others who are in need.


CROOKED LITTLE SMILE

He was struggling to tie his shoes. I was struggling with whether I should
help him. I did. He was embarrassed, but grateful.

“I really appreciate your help,” he said quietly. Never looking directly at
me, I thought perhaps he was uncomfortable with needing the help.

“It was nothing. I just thought it would be easier for me to reach it,” I
said. “You looked a little frustrated.”

“I guess you could say I was a little bent out of shape over it,” he said.

I didn't know whether to laugh or not. He was crippled by something. His 
arms and legs were twisted terribly and his coordination to do what I would
consider an easy task, lacked desperately.

I have met many people with “different abilities” who use humor openly as
a way to ease the difficulty some people have with dealing with them.

I smiled and said, “I'm glad I could help.”

He was an older gentlemen, thinly built, white hair and the most incredible
smile. His clothing was perfectly matched, very up to date and because of
his condition, a little larger than they normally should be. I believe it
was more comfortable and easier to manage in a larger size.

His spinal curvature was so bad that he was forced to look down most of the
time. Except when he made a wise crack. He always managed to steal a glance
looking up to see how you reacted to his comments. I believe he enjoyed 
doing that to people.

Still kneeling by his wheel chair, I felt comfortable there.

There was an awkward silence as we both waited for the other to continue 
the conversation. I waited because I wasn't sure he wanted to talk.

“Nice sneakers,” he said.

“Thanks, no one ever complimented me on my sneakers before,” I said.

“No one has the view of the world I do,” he replied.

I laughed this time.

“So, tell me about the world as you see it,” I said.

“Well, I can tell if someone is comfortable speaking with me or not. Most
people can see it in another's eyes. I see it in their feet,” he said.

“How can you tell by their feet?” I asked.

“People who are nervous keep fidgeting around, moving their feet, wiggling
their toes. If they are impatient with me I see them tapping their foot. 
So I just let them go. I don't want to make people uncomfortable,” he said.

“What about me? Was I uncomfortable?” I asked.

“No. I could see your compassion in your eyes. You see, you came down to 
my level. I was the one who was nervous,” he said.

“Why?” I asked.

“I don't normally have someone looking in my eyes. Even my friends stand 
or sit when they speak to me,” he said with a sigh.

“They have no idea what they are missing,” I told him.

“This old crooked face of mine is nothing to brag about,” he said.

“But that smile. That smile is so big, I can't see anything else,” I told him.

“Ah yes, my smile. I painted it on there just for me. Even though most 
people don't see it, it reminds me that things aren't as bad as they seem,”
he said.

“That's quite an attitude, my friend,” I said.

“Well, I'm your friend now am I?” he asked.

“Yes, I consider everyone a friend until they prove me otherwise. Many 
have. I'd rather treat someone as a friend and keep them as one, then to
treat them as a stranger and they remain so,” I told him.

He smiled.

“Well, as I always say, ‘Things are always looking up in my life,’” he said.

There was a pause and we both started laughing.

“Hey, now I can sing that country song by Garth Brooks”, I said.

He took a deep breath and asked, “Okay, I'll bite. What country song?”

I sang to him...“I've got friends in low places.”

We both laughed until we had tears in our eyes. I don't know about him, 
mine were because he was such a blessing to me today.

From the famous childhood nursery rhyme:

There Was a Crooked Man

There was a crooked man Who walked a crooked mile. He found a crooked 
sixpence Against a crooked stile. He had a crooked cat Who caught a crooked
mouse And they all lived together In a little crooked house. (I add these 
lines to that famous rhyme)

But then this crooked man wore a crooked smile that made me aware he was
happy all the while. This crooked little man stood taller then the rest; He
took what life had given him and in return gave his best.

By Bob Perks


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus declares “Ye are the light of the world. A city that
is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it
under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are
in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your 
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus declares “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon
earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through
and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither 
moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor 
steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Romans 12:15-18 “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that
weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but
condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of
all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with
all men.”

Proverbs 16:18-20 “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit
before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than
to divide the spoil with the proud. He that handleth a matter wisely shall
find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.”

All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.


Today’s Selected Poem: BE CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU SAY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem168.htm

Today’s Selected Testimony: GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE OUR SIDE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony52.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry