Judge: "Mrs. Smith, you have come to this court seeking a divorce from your husband. Do you have any grounds?"

Mrs. Smith: " Only about 40 acres, your honor, but it is good black land."

Judge: "No, Mrs. Smith. I mean why do you want a divorce? Do you have a grudge?"

Mrs. Smith: No, your honor, all we have is a carport but the reason I want a divorce is that my husband and me just can't communicate.

I teach communication at the Christian Women's Job Corps. Lucille thinks math is more important than communications. I tell her that you can't teach math without being able to communicate. That is why Charlie Brown's little friend, Peppermint Patty, thinks that X is usually 4 and Y is usually 14 and figures that is close enough for her.

The most important lesson in communication, I believe, is, "You cannot not communicate!" Unless you are alone you will be communicating with someone. Communication is the transference of ideas from one person to another and getting feedback from the other person. Sitting in the doctor's waiting room surrounded by people but speaking to no one is a perfect example of what I mean. You are constantly picking up clues about the other people in the room. You may be right or totally wrong but things you see others say, do or gesture are creating a message in your head. By the same token others will look in upon the things you are doing and draw inferences and messages therefrom.

Our job is to consciously decide the message we want to portray. We do have the right and the ability to decide that, you know. Think of how we change when we have been in a snit over something and there is a knock on the door. As you go to the door you are making sure your hair is combed. You put the children in the background and make sure there is a smile on your face. You want to send the caller a message that says all is well with me …how are you?

Most of us never think about our message and pretty much reflect our situation or circumstance. What a difference it can make when we consciously seek to show kindness and hope to others as we make our daily rounds. You are not putting on a show; you have simply made a decision to show a happy face. It takes more muscles and more energy to frown than it does to smile.

Joy is one of the Christian virtues, one of God's gifts to His children. It is the look of love for our Lord and for our fellow man. Scripture says that by our love we will be known as His children. If we love Him, we should never look down and out … it sends the wrong message. There is an old Stamps Baxter song, Give The World A Smile Each Day … it ends, "Let your life so be that all the world can see the joy of serving Jesus with a smile."