Well it happened to me again recently. It has happened before and it will probably happen again.

Let me explain.

I had just finished driving my son to the sheltered workshop where he works a few days a week. I decided to stop on the way back home to pick up some more bananas and whole wheat bread. As I pulled into the store parking lot, the clouds opened up and the sun shone through. The air was fresh and clean and sweet smelling from all the rain we’d had recently. I noticed that the leaves on the trees were particularly large this year too from all the water and light God had blessed us with. And as I started to walk into the store I noticed a golden eagle flying overhead. I thought to myself what a beautiful world we live in.

That is when it happened.

Just as I walked through the door I saw an old lady pushing her shopping cart and she showered me with the most lovely smile. Then as I turned the corner to the fruit section a little girl and her Mom both looked at me and gave me a grin as well. I wondered what was going on as I grabbed my groceries. As I walked to the checkout the cashier gave me a warm smile too. Puzzled, I looked up and saw my reflection in the window of the store. I had been smiling without knowing it again. Each of those people had been returning to me the gift that I had freely but unknowingly given them. I smiled again and laughed to myself. Then I went out and thanked God again for this world and all the lovely souls in it and I could feel the sun smiling down on me in return.

Ken Keyes Jr. wrote, “The world is your mirror.” What you put out into it knowingly or unknowingly is what you get back. Do your best then to share your smile, shower your love, and scatter your joy on everyone you meet. Do your best to shine God’s goodness and light through your own life. Then you will always love what you see when you look in the mirror.