Smile

Last night I slept at Dulce Nombre, because the Parish Council meeting lasted until about 9:00 pm.

It’s not uncommon for me to stay there for a night – in a nice room with a good bed.

But last night I had trouble sleeping – and I woke up early, serenaded by the roosters and chickens right outside the window.

In a dream I recall seeing the face of a little girl. As she got closer to my face, she had such a beautiful smile – and I smiled in return.

At that point I woke up, but with a deep sense of peace and joy. I realized that I’d been blessed with joy – and the smile of the little girl opened up my heart to the joy that was already there.

How often do we fail to see the joy and peace in our hearts. Sometimes it takes a dream – but more often it takes the smile of a child, the hand on the shoulder from a friend, a word.

Help me, Lord, see that joy and peace that are offered to me every day.