Remember Guy Smiley, the Sesame Street character who was a game show host? He talked in that “game show host” voice, and he always had a huge smile. Hence the name.
Timmy’s a lot like him in that Timmy always has a smile, too. In fact, just yesterday morning, Ellie woke up and came to find him in hopes of catching him having his morning smile-a-thon. So, while Timmy doesn’t host any game shows and therefore can’t be called Guy Smiley, exactly, he definitely earns the title of Smiley Guy.
Last month, when I took Timmy with me to the Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference, Timmy charmed everyone with his desire to be cuddled, his sweet nature, and—you guessed it—his smiles.
Ellie seeks Timmy out, knowing the odds are good she can catch him smiling or make him smile. Friends and even strangers seek Timmy out, hoping for the same. That’s because Timmy has a reputation. At not-quite-four-months old, he’s already known for his happy demeanor. And I love that.
What are you known for? What am I known for? When people think of us, what do they think of? Smiles and a sweet spirit? Or…something else?
We are all known for something. For some of us, like Timmy, it might be for our sweet and always-ready smile. I have a friend like this. She is beautiful, both inside and out, and her smile lights up my day.
Others of us might be known for our sense of humor, our willingness to work hard and serve others, or our encouraging nature.
But it’s possible to be known for negative things, too, such as constant negativity, frequent complaints, or lack of sensitivity.
Which group are you in? The first group or the second?
Granted, we all have occasional bad days. I’ve had days where I complained more than I smiled, and you probably have too. But what are you known for on a consistent basis? When people think of you, what do they think of?
If you’re not sure, you can ask your husband and your children (children, especially young ones, will be brutally honest), or a friend who is brave enough to be honest with you, even if she thinks it’s something you wouldn’t want to hear. Ask them to tell you what they think of when they think of you. Let them be free to give their true answers, and listen to those answers.
The reason why it matters what you’re known for is this: Jesus said that people will know we are His disciples if we love one another. He also said that if we love Him, we will obey His commandments. In other words, if we truly love Him, we will be best known for doing something He commands us to do, not for a negative quality.
Find out what you’re known for. Perhaps people’s answers will be encouraging. Perhaps they will be enlightening. Either way, you need to know. If you’re known for something that would please Jesus, thank Him for shining through you. If you’re known for something that doesn’t please Him, repent. Confess what you’ve done wrong. Ask His forgiveness, and ask Him to pour His life into you so that it spills over to others.
That’s what being a Christian is all about.
John 13:35—“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 14:15—“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”