Smiling as an Act of Charity
The first letter of our Cultivating Sisterhood short-series
A Note from TCW
To those of you who are ever at a loss on how to cultivate sisterhood, a genuine smile is a simple & easy place to start. In the first letter of our Cultivating Sisterhood short-series, writer Amy reminds us of the importance of smiling. Thank you Amy for reminding us that we all have the power to choose joy.
To learn about The Catholic Woman's Sisterhood theme for this quarter's collection of letters, click here.
(Click to enlarge photos)
Hi Sisters,
I have a question for you! When was the last time you smiled? Like really smiled, your checks starting hurting smiled! For some us it might have been yesterday or others it might seem like we are in a season of not smiling at all.
I remember when what seemed like the season of not smiling at all I made my way to my local Adoration Chapel. I was really struggling with finding joy. I was exhausted, unsatisfied, and frequently ungrateful for where I was in my life. I wanted more. I cried out to the Lord “What is your plan for my life?!” After this time of prayer, I was walking out of the chapel and ran into this man. He bluntly told me “Smile, you were just with Jesus!” I was taken aback from this encounter and thought, “He is right, I need to smile!”
As Catholic Women, we are so blessed The Lord comes into our life so humbly in the Blessed Sacrament, He meets us where we’re at and He never leaves us! I needed that reminder to choose joy, to smile even when it hurts, and to know The Lord wants us to have joy!
So, sisters I encourage you to smile! Let those checks hurt! This will be our first step in choosing joy in our lives.
I would like to end with one of my favorite quotes from St. Mother Teresa, “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”
Today allow your joy to be an act of Charity!
In Christ’s love & joy,
Amy
