Smiley Faith

"If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed. . ." Matt. 17:20

Artwork by Rene

Smiley Faith
It is said, "No good deed ever goes unrewarded."

Monday morning, 6 March 2000, I had some brief business with Elder Barlow, Director of the Independence, Missouri, Mormon Visitors Center. The Visitors Center stands right across the street from where I work as Church Archivist at Community of Christ headquarters. This morning, as I walked across the street, I was lost in thought. I was reflecting on my various duties for the day, and concerned over some pressing home responsibilities. As I approached the entrance, a man on his way out, approached me, saying, "Say, you look like you just lost your best friend." Elder Barlow happened to be following close behind, so I joked, "I have to talk to this fellow." The man joked back, "Oh, you are in trouble."

Completing my business with Elder Barlow, I headed back across the street to the side entrance of the Community of Christ Temple. Just as I approached the door, the man I had met coming out of the Visitors Center drove up to me. Giving me two containers of fresh strawberries, he said, "Here, I hope this brightens up your day a little." Thanking him, I said, "Where did you get these strawberries?" He replied, "I am Elder Aldrich. I go to the local grocery every morning and take produce to the homeless shelters and area agencies. Hope you have a good day!"

As you might imagine, my spirit was greatly lifted as I returned to my office carrying two containers of fresh strawberries. Elder Aldrich is not of my immediate faith family. But because of the grace revealed through his unanticipated act of kindness, I did have a great day.

-Ron Romig, March 2000

Faith in the Divine, joyfully expressed, can lift us above our every day burdens.

My planned bike trip, from Clinton to Boonville on the Katy Trail, was dependent upon corrected tax pages from the Michigan accountant. The Amtrak reservation was for April 14. Thursday came, no forms. Knowing of my frustration, Brother Bob Slasor, who helped me begin the discipline of spiritual journalling several years ago, gave me specific counsel and said he would pray with me to be able to find peace in this situation. The morning prayer circle prayed, too.

Friday, I took my daypack and journal out into the fields of Harvest Hills where I sat and meditated, journalled, and watched Nature around me. This truth came to me: even as the creatures you watch are doing what they are created to do, so must you. That brought a great sense of peace, and I knew I would do what I am meant to do; would be shown what that is for this day.

At 1 p.m, no mail; Amtrak leaves at 3:49. At 2 p.m., I would either be on my way to the station, tax return mailed, or to the Community of Christ Temple [in Independence, Missouri] for contemplation. The mail carrier delivered the awaited envelope at 1:45; the rest is history.

Praise God! off the train at Warrensburg, I rode to within 11 miles of Clinton. Christian school personnel allowed me to set up behind the school, and I arrived at Katy Trail about 10 a.m. Saturday . Weather was good, and friends were made along the way. Instead of two rolls of pictures, I took four, so beautiful and tranquil were the areas I cycled through.

And more blessings: church in Sedalia, a lift to the trail, the pedaling to Boonville completed before nightfall, and a peaceful night at a Boonville B & B. After camping at the State Fairgrounds, the Amtrak trip to Independence on Tuesday left only 10 additional miles to bike. I am smiling because faith led the way.

I spend the winter at Harvest Hills Community in Missouri, and live in Jackson, MI, the remainder of the year.

-In Jesus love, Jeanette Stoner, April 2000

That I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. -Romans 1:12

Heading to work, I discovered the ground newly tilled around my portion of the community garden. But in the process, my 100 foot garden hose had become tangled in the tiller and chewed into several short lengths. I decided not to complain about my loss. After all, these folks were certainly trying to help me keep ahead of our area's aggressive Missouri weeds. But I remained down in spirit, because with this year's dry spring, my remaining hose would no longer reach my vegetable patch. Heading to the garden with my bucket several days later, I found a brand new garden hose, still in its original store packaging, beside the hydrant. After this unsolicited but much appreciated act of caring, both garden and I are happy.

–Ron Romig, May 2000

Perhaps you have experienced a kindness as a consequence of someone’s smiley faith. If you would like to share your own smiley faith experience, please forward your story to Faith. Please forward only original narratives, for which you may provide copyright permissions for use on Smiley Faith and related uses. Also, please state your story as concisely as possible, around 250 words or less.

A Smiley Faith story is: true, inspiring, motivational, heartwarming and heartfelt. It is a story that if shared can bring joy and awareness to others.

Write your story in a word processor program, notepad or a simple text editor. Copy your story into the body of your e-mail message and forward it to:
SmileyFaith@romig.org

If you wish to mail your submission, include as much contact information as possible and forward to:
Smiley Faith
18 Oak Hill Cluster
Independence, Missouri 64057-9500

Submissions are subject to a selection process. If your submission is selected for Smiley Faith, or any related projects, you will be notified. Your permission in writing for its use or publication will be requested. This can take time. Submitted stories will not be returned.

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