On my way home the other night I had the pleasure of happening across three wonderful neighbors, Emily, Emily, and Asia, who were sitting on their porch playing guitar. Emily had just written her first song ever and delighted us by playing it. We oohed over the song, which was indeed quite good. A couple of other neighbors happened to be walking home at the same time and they stopped to join the fun. They hadn't heard Asia's latest songs, so she played a couple of her wonderful compositions for us. We listened and chatted and had a very pleasant time.
Meanwhile, I watched the other Emily's face and wondered what she was thinking. When she started getting up to go inside I said, "Emily, I was hoping you were going to play next." I'd heard that she is quite a gifted vocalist and guitarist, but I had never heard her play. I wanted to hear her songs, but more than that, I saw the pensive look on her face and thought it just might be a good thing for her that night. She smiled and sat back down to play. She lit up as she took the guitar in her hands and began to sing. I just loved seeing her smile.
I wanted to make sure that in all the shuffle Emily who played for us first wouldn't feel that her thunder had been stolen. After all, she was the reason for the mini concert in the first place. Plus I really liked her song and wanted to hear it again. So, as it seemed that the pleasantries of the evening were drawing to a close, I asked if she would play one her song one more time before we all separated. A bedtime song, if you will. She graciously obliged, and I think she enjoyed feeling that she wasn't overshadowed by her more musically experienced roommates. I loved seeing her smile, too.
The next morning at work I thought a bit about the events of the previous evening. I thought about the joy I get from watching other people smile. Then I thought about how much God loves us and how many things He must plant in our days just so He can see us smile. Luke 12:32 reads, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." In the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior teaches, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (See Matt 7:11 and 3 Nephi 14:11). How much Heavenly Father wants our happiness. How much He loves us. And if I, "being evil," want to see my neighbors smile, "how much more shall [our] Father which is in Heaven" want to see us smile.
In essence, it's what my friend Brady said to me not too long ago. "All we need to do is have faith that the Savior wants the best things for us and repent when we forget that." We have to trust in that and do His will. The moments that bring a smile to our faces throughout the day are gifts from a Father in Heaven who wants our happiness. So smile and be grateful for the moment.
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