Isaiah's Smile

Every Christian - absolutely every believer, every disciple of Jesus has a ministry.  That ministry may be an up-front and very obvious one through your church that everybody knows about, or your ministry might be something a little more subtle, a little more understated, but just - if not more - powerful and influential. 

I'm thinking of the youngest little boy in the Nicklas family.  His name is Isaiah and this little boy has sparkling eyes and a shock of red hair.  Isaiah is barely a toddler.  Not only that, Isaiah has Down syndrome.  Now I know what you're wondering.  How can this child have an actual ministry? 

Well, I will let his older sister, Mary McKenna, share exactly what her little brother's ministry is all about.  You see, Mary McKenna and Isaiah are covenant children - their parents covered them in prayer long before they were ever born.  Those kids are a part of "the household of faith" in the Nicklas family, and from the very beginning, their parents have encouraged each child to explore the ministry God has blessed them with. 

Mary McKenna was the one who told me - she was feeding little Isaiah at the table - she was spooning food his way and she said, "All of us in our family have a ministry; just look at Isaiah here!"  At that point, Isaiah turned and gave me the biggest, brightest, happiest grin, at the same time his eyes just sparkled and his cheeks got like two little apples.  I don't know how to describe this, but the smile of that little child just, well... I'm telling you it glowed, it was different, it was heavenly.  It just gave me so much joy to see him.  That's when Mary McKenna said, "See what I mean?  Isaiah has his own ministry, too.  It's his smile!"  And you know what?  She was right.  I have never thought of it before, but she was right on. That little boy's face glowed with heaven-sent happiness when he smiled. 

Actually, that cute kid with Down syndrome - his ministry can be best described by 2 Corinthians 4:6 which says, "For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." Isn't that something?  Even a little child can have the light of Christ... and it can show up in a glorious way through a smile. 

Friend, what is your ministry?  It doesn't have to be something big and up front and well known.  It can be something as small and insignificant as your smile - but I should say 'seemingly insignificant', because there's no doubt about the importance and the power and the impact and the influence of a smile that shines forth out of weakness, limitations and disabilities.  Remember that today if you are tempted to frown your way through the morning, afternoon or evening.  People all around you are watching - especially if they know you're a Christian.  So next time you see them looking your way, make it a ministry and flash them a smile.  It will be sent straight from heaven and it will be your ministry.

Used by permission of JONI AND FRIENDS  P.O. Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376

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