Was It My Face? (12/11/2025)

I was at the market getting supplies for a dinner that night for 10, for the family Christmas Cookie baking event the next day, and for a week of meals for my husband and I. To say my cart was full would be like saying the surface of the sun is warm. I made my way to the checkout counter and began unloading my cart when I noticed a man in line with only three items. I caught his attention and asked if he’d want to go ahead of me. He said, “No, thank you. I’m okay.” So, I returned to the chore of emptying my cart. Then suddenly he was next to me in line. “Was it my face?” he asked.

I was perplexed. I didn’t have a clue what he was asking. Then he explained to me that he’s been told his facial expressions don’t always match his feelings. He shared that once at a restaurant, when the waiter asked if he needed something, he replied, “no” and added that he was fine. The waiter remained and asked again if there was anything wrong. He said, “no” again. Then he said that the waiter said to him, “But sir, your face isn’t saying that.”  Then the man went on to share that his wife agreed with the waiter and told him that his facial expressions often don’t agree with what he says. I laughed. We both laughed.

I assured him it wasn’t his face that prompted me to ask if he’d like to go ahead of me but rather it was my parents’ training to be considerate of others. We laughed together again because I guess his parents were of the same school of thought. I told him his story was funny and that I’d learn to make sure that my facial expressions match my words. I got a bonus on my shopping trip.

As I drove home from the market, I thought about the man’s funny story and his concern that I’d taken his facial expression for anger or impatience. And I wondered what others must think when they look at me at times, pondering something miles or years away while I am idle. I also thought of times when I’d say things I didn’t really feel like “No, it’s all right” when what I was really feeling was nothing close to “all right.” We don’t walk around in a world of mirrors, I bet most of us don’t realize that our faces might not always agree with our words.

And then my mind was suddenly filled with images of people whom I’ve met over the years who claim to be believers in Christ but look about as joyful as one undergoing an IRS audit. I can understand when I see faces void of joy in the pew why some young people struggle with our claim that love of the LORD brings joy.

When the LORD and I had our talk late that evening, I am afraid I complained a little when I mentioned that now I had one more thing to worry about, my facial expression. The LORD knew I was kidding; He’s smart like that. But during this Advent season of trying to practice presence and attentiveness to others, it made me think about the need to really read the faces of others because often others don’t really share out loud what they are carrying, what they are struggling with, what they hope. God writes straight with crooked lines. And He's getting more and more creative. I never would have put grocery store check out line as a place for learning. Who knew?

As we continue our journeys of faith, buoyed by hope in the promise of our LORD, and fueled by His love, let us be attentive, let us commit to being present to others, and let our faces reveal to others the joy that flows from knowing and loving Christ.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.