My dog smiles. He really does. He has two smiles, actually. One is an open-mouthed, tongue-hanging-out grin that he reserves for company. He goes temporarily berserk when the doorbell rings, runs madly through the living room until guests have been “herded” in and seated, then parks himself in front of the one he deems most amenable to him and turns on the goofy charm.

I don’t know what he’s thinking (or if he’s thinking) – but his “company” smile seems to say “Wow! That was exhilarating! Now it’s time for you to tell me how much you appreciated my energetic performance, and how desperately cute I am!” (Most people oblige.)

Chester’s company smile makes me laugh – but it’s not the one I like best.

The Chester-smile that’s my favorite is the one he only smiles for me. He has to be really relaxed to do it, and warm. (Mornings or late evenings are best.) Then, stretched out on the sofa or the foot of the bed, he’ll sigh, and roll belly-up, paws next to his chest. That’s the signal for the full-body “scruff.” I’ll ruffle his silky hair, starting at his ears, then move under his chin, over his ribs and down his back. By the time I get to his ribs, his eyes are closed, his mouth is shut, and the corners of it are slightly – oh, so slightly – inching upward into a smile. He smiles for as long as I scratch.

That’s the deal.

Chester’s two smiles got me thinking. (You knew they would, right?) I wonder if I have a smile that pleases God the most?

Is it my “performance” smile? The “I’m so happy to be a Christian and my life is just about perfect thank you very much,” smile?

Is it my “doing good deeds” smile? The one that works its way onto my face when I’m doing something I’m pretty sure God will be pleased about?

Or is it the one that no one else sees – the smile that barely shows on the outside but wells up from deep within, when the One who knows me best touches a hidden place in my heart, and leaves his hand there just long enough to warm me all the way through? That quiet smile that’s triggered by a memory, or music, or a smell, or a snippet of words that sound just right?

I can’t say for sure – but that’s the one I think He most enjoys. Because it’s the one He – and He alone – is responsible for.

“Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; in Thy presence is fulness of joy; in Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.” Psalm 16:11, NASB

© Leigh McLeroy 2004