Collector of Smiles
Grandpa taught me how to make a smiley face before I could write my name. We put a nose in it! He had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh! We had such fun together! A Smiley Face became part of my signature.
As I grew older, I lost my laugh. In high school I wanted desperately to learn how to tell jokes – or just be funny. Whenever I tried, no one would laugh. By the time I was a young adult, I was bitter and judgmental — opinionated and bossy – critical of everything and everyone!
Toastmasters in general taught me how to be a different kind of critical thinker – which means objectively analyze what you hear — and then to give feedback in a positive way. For example, I previously would have said, “That stinks!” Toastmasters taught me to say, “From my perspective, the fragrance could be improved.” I began to enjoy the merits of positive thinking!! My Toastmaster Evaluation skills have morphed into compliments.
Then came Michelle Wise — a Fellow Toastmaster who gave one Jesus speech after another! I didn’t want to hear about Jesus!! I silently groaned through each one, but evaluated the Toastmaster Way.
At one point, she was Topic Master. The Topic Master asks you a question and you answer it as a mini speech. It’s how we practice “thinking on your feet”. Her questions each related to Christianity or Jesus! She asked me a Jesus question. As I responded, I couldn’t believe what was coming out of my mouth! Positive words about Jesus spewed like Windex from a spray bottle!! I could see clearly now!! That was it – my Turning Point! Michelle and I became buddies. I sought a relationship with Jesus. My JOY began!
A few years later I was shopping with my “old” college roommates – with whom I had always been silly beyond belief. In an antique store, they saw a big, plastic clown head – “Lynne, you need that!” After more silliness, I bought it. He rode home in the back seat of my car which has become his permanent spot.
A year or so later, a Fellow Toastmaster and I were leaving our meeting. We got to my car first. She looked in the back seat, saw the clown, and chuckled, “Hey Lynne, that will help you collect some smiles!” That stuck! It became my mission to make people smile! I am the Collector Smiles!
But Wait! There’s More!!
A few years later, I was baptized, which I wrote about in “Bubbles In My Belly”. THAT was the Seal on my Spiritual Deal. That Spring of Living Water still bubbles away! (John 4:14; 7:38) It’s The JOY of JESUS! I thrill to the smiles I collect, where ever I go! Since then, my Smiley Speeches include JESUS!!
7/15/20 — My 73rd Birthday!!