G

Funny, the stages of life we go through, hopefully growing wiser as we go.

Some lessons we deduce from listening or observing. Some lessons we learn “the hard way” through experience. Other lessons require nudges along our journey.

One such nudge came recently from a friend who just so happens to have pageant coaching in her repertoire. Admittedly tending to be more Martha-like than Mary (see Chapter 10 of the Gospel of Luke to learn more about this reference), I was in director “chop-chop” mode at the recent Spring Marketplace Consignment Sale.

In my defense, it was peak time on the opening shopping day to the public. Think pre-pandemic Black Friday if you’ve never been.

Despite the crowd, we do our best to run things efficiently so no one waits long to check out. Over 29 years of sales, we’ve learned and improved, getting us to what many refer to as a “well-oiled machine.”

It was a beautiful early spring day with fantastic shopper numbers. We had a wonderful crew of helpers, so all systems were on go. Who could ask for more?

Then I heard these admonishing words from my friend in line who’d been watching me direct: “Smile, Gina. You’ll look better.”

Those loud words echoed as the Holy Spirit intercepted them, turning them into a truth arrow of sorts to pierce my heart. Ouch, indeed.

But I’ve come to appreciate those “aha” moments of conviction, for I know it’s for my own good and – the best part – ultimately for God’s glory.

Although I didn’t have much time right then to ponder this truth nudge, I knew I could and should do better, and I certainly have plenty about which to smile.

I believe the old saying “smiles are contagious” to be true, and I remember how, after years of not smiling for photos in my younger days, I finally learned relaxing and smiling “big” is a much better look – inside and out.

Have you ever looked at old photos and wondered why no one smiled? My mom is a history and genealogy buff, so I’ve seen plenty of old pictures.

I figured it was just in vogue back then, even suspecting lack of dental hygiene as a factor in starting the trend.

Some believed it was because of early cameras and long exposure times, but one article said “the main reason why people didn’t smile in old photos had more to do with culture and customs of old paintings and portraiture than it did with poor technology.”

The article continued: “Before photography, the main mode of preserving a family’s or person’s image was through painting portraits. It was customary for families and individuals in these commissioned, traditional portraits to have stoic, regal expressions. If they did smile, it would be only slightly.

“This early custom was because wide-mouthed, toothy grins were considered inappropriate for portraiture. Even in other kinds of old paintings, a person’s wide smiles were often associated with madness, drunkenness, or otherwise informal, immature behavior.

“When photography was introduced as a new way of preserving a person or family’s likeness, people continued the tradition of unsmiling expressions because it was familiar to them, and the ideals for capturing someone’s likeness had not changed.”

The article traced the change of posing styles to the 1900 Brownie camera, one of the first to be accessible and affordable to the public. Photos became more spontaneous and captured candid smiles and laughter.

“People began to prefer the amateur photos that captured their smiling, joyful expressions. The practice of photographing smiles crept into formal photography, and eventually, it was culturally acceptable – and then encouraged – to smile in family photos and portraits.”

Interesting to consider the “whys,” but I credit (maybe I should say deficit) my non-smiling years more to insecurity than technology or trends.

So now that I know better and am thankfully much less insecure in my mid-50s, my friend calling out my lack of smile as I worked hit deeper than simply a shallow pose. Yes, my exhorting coach, it’s more about stage presence, which will bear witness to many.

I realize non-verbal body language is at least as important as our words, often reflecting our hearts, and I want to reflect a heart overflowing with thankfulness and joy which bubbles into smiles, laughter and praises to God. For he is so good … and it is his light I want to shine as I work to serve him!

“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” (Proverbs 15:30)

“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” (Mother Teresa)

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalm 118:1/29)

Gina Moore, a news-editorial journalism major, has operated Marketplace Consignment Sale for 29 years and has worked part-time at Treasures. She also enjoys country cooking, reading and writing about motherhood, life on the farm and how God’s love and lessons surround residents.