"I just want to be someone who brightens up as many people's days as possible while I'm on this earth."

Today so far I've cleaned up a 6 year old's poopy underwear, made sure that that same 6 year old is drinking enough water because he has a little stomach bug, cleaning up the living room, and bumming around.  But my day changed when I was cruising various videos on Youtube a few minutes ago and decided to search some Tim Tebow interviews.  I saw one from ABC news where he was questioned on his faith, his transfer to the New York Jets and his personal life.  At the end, he said "you know I just want to be someone who brightens up as many people's days as possible while I'm on this earth."  And you could tell that that was honestly what he wants to do with his life.  Not score the most touch downs or play for the coolest NFL teams, but he really, truly wants to just make people's lives a little better by coming in contact with him. 

Having gone to Belize this summer, where people have so little and yet are so thankful, that interview made me think back to that mission trip and how it changed my perspective on life.  Sure, having all the stuff that you think is important is nice at first, but then you realize that making a difference in the world for the better and letting your happiness in life make someone else happy is the most important thing.  I don't know, I just thought that quote from Tim was really interesting because he's such a talented athlete and yet he isn't even really concerned about that part of his life.

Another reason why that spoke out to me is because, if you smile or show any sign of joy in Berlin, people look at you like you're crazy.  Granted, Germany's history with wars and hardships hasn't exactly been anything to be happy about.   But that's kinda why I like it here.  In the US, everyone "looks" happy and says that life's great so you don't really know who's telling the truth and who's not.  But here, if you are the least bit happy in your day to day life, you stand out.  Imagine if I let the joy that comes from knowing the King of the universe be on display for everyone to see?  Because I feel like when I am smiling or have a little pep in my step, it may not always be for the right reasons.  But truly letting the love and the joy from the Lord shine through me and giving it free reign in my life rather than finding other things to be happy about would really make a difference in my life and those around me.