While working at an Electronics Factory near my home, I had a lead man who seemed to not know how to take my good nature and joyful attitude about life. For the first few weeks I noticed *John would stand off a bit and watch me;  Almost like he was studying me.  He'd usually stand cross armed, glaring at me from behind a work bench or machine, sometimes leaning against something.  It became almost unnerving. After a while, I felt I had too much of this unsmiling, [seemingly] unfeeling stare.  I'd mentioned this to a coworker and friend, *Maggie.  I told her what I'd noticed, my uncomfortable feelings and what I was thinking of doing.  I'd planned to give him a big overdone grin every time I saw *John staring at me like that. She told me that I shouldn't do anything that might get him angry with me since he's got authority over me.  I felt that there wasn't much that could be done.  I mean, if he filed a complaint;  what could he say?  "This man smiled at me!"  Well, I didn't think that would happen so I followed through with my plan. Each time I 'caught' him staring at me with that blank questioning look, I would give him a great big smile.  He'd stare from the right and I'd smile really big toward him. He'd stare from the left and again I'd give a huge over done grin toward him. Finally, after *Maggie warned me that if I continued I might get fired for antagonizing *John, I caught him watching me with his intense glare.  I paused for a moment, thinking carefully about what *Maggie told me.  Finally I thought, "If this is going to do any good, Lord, let it happen now." I quickly swung my head toward *John and gave him the biggest grin I'd ever given anyone.  Suddenly, *John burst out in laughter and exclaimed, "SNURR!   You and that BIG SILLY GRIN! " I replied, "Grin?!?  I thought that was a whole great big smile." From that moment, we became friends and worked together quite well.  When there would come a difficult job, I would be the one he would come to complete it.  I appreciated his trust and confidence in my work. Ultimately, if *John had not seen the wonderful joy the Lord put into my heart, we probably would have not have bridged the gap and become friends. I thank God that He can show himself through me to those who need Him most. NOTE : * The names were changed as I haven't been able to obtain permission to use them.