“When suffering overtakes us, let us accept it with a smile. This is the greatest gift of God: having the courage to accept with a smile whatever he gives us and whatever he takes from us.” — Blessed Mother Teresa
I recently had lunch with a businessman, and as he excused himself for a moment, the waitress came over and filled up my cola with a smile. I asked where she was from and she smiled and said in spanish “Soy del El Salvador.” So this began a few minutes of conversation about our mission trips to her country every year. When the gentleman came back, she finished with a smile, saying, “Thank you so much for visiting my country and for helping my people…I am very grateful!” Such a simple, servicial and joyful soul…she was an older lady with a lot of suffering on her face, but her smile was deep and powerful!