A few minutes ago I returned home from a memorial service honoring a truly remarkable woman. Becky, whose life was cut short on Christmas Eve, touched an amazing number of people in her mere 50 years on this earth. I could share a hundred LiveDifferent Challenges from her life–giving to others, persevering, keeping perspective, serving Christ powerfully in a secular environment. But you know what stood out to me the most during the service? Becky’s Smile.
During the service a continual slideshow of pictures was played, for nearly 2 hours. Ranging from childhood to wedding pics to her last few months of battling cancer, complete with bald head and hospital beds. Not all of them were glamour shots, but one thing was present in every single one: Becky’s Smile.
Becky always smiled.
Some people hide from cameras. Because of extra weight, bad hair days, or just other random insecurities, many of us shy away from photos, always try to get in the back of a group picture, and give a reluctant smile that clearly communicates, “I hate that you’re taking my picture because I”m so self-conscious but I’ll grimace so as to not be too rude.” Becky was no such person. In every single photo, even the ones that I’m sure most of us would have wanted to burn if they were of us, in every single photo she looked straight into the camera and smiled with every ounce of her being. Her face said, in every single picture, “Praise God for life.”
And she didn’t just smile for pictures. In the 13 years that I knew Becky, she always smiled. She was no clown, she was a tough, serious-minded woman who knew sorrow, pain, and trial. But she looked in the face of evil and smiled. Why? Because she knew whom she had believed. She knew it’s gonna be worth it.
I’m challenged by Becky’s life in many ways, and perhaps this small way is not the most significant. But then again, it is significant. I’m challenged to never refuse to have my picture taken. I’m challenged to smile my biggest toothiest grin and squeeze my son tight or lay a big kiss on my husband. I’m challenged to quit thinking about whether I look fat or my eyes are closed or I’m standing in a way that makes my hips look wide (because they just are–it’s not the way I’m standing!). I’m challenged to just look into that camera–and into life–and smile a smile that reaches to my toes. Becky’s smile has touched my life. And I pray mine can touch others as well.
“Strength and dignity are her clothing,And she smiles at the future.” Prov. 31:25
Only confidence in Christ can free us to face the future–and yes, even death–and smile.
4 thoughts on “LiveDifferent Challenge (38): Smile”
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Another wonderful post. I’m really enjoying your blog, Kari!
I’m saying AMEN to that last sentence! Freedom in Christ is amazing! And I’ve never taken that single verse from Proverbs (31:25) and thought about it in depth. I didn’t know Becky, but I love that her life inspired this livedifferent challenge that has inspired me.
That’s funny you commented on this, Bethany, because I thought of you several times writing it. You have that same infectious, confident, joyful, praise-God smile…and it draws that same smile out of those you photograph. It’s a gift and you use it for His glory. Praise God!
I loved this post – thank you for sharing your heart!
I was also feeling challenged at Becky’s funeral…challenged to work on my relationships and procure them in the way that she did. Isn’t it amazing that one person’s life could inspire so many of us and be an encouragement even in death?