Changing faces

Who is like the wise?
Who knows the explanation of things?
A person’s wisdom brightens their face
and changes its hard appearance. Ecclesiastes 8:1

	I see judgement. I see disapproval. Stern. Uncompromising. This look makes me squirm and wonder what I have done. I feel guilty.
	I see warmth. A gentle acceptance. I want to hear this man’s story. He has a tale to tell. A good tale. He is interested in my tale too.
	The joy! I love it! The mischievous childlike grin. This woman would brighten anyone’s day. I’m sure of that.
	I see such compassion in those eyes. Gentle features. A depth of wisdom and experience.
	These eyes are steely. Hard. Cold. Devoid of any warmth and compassion. Devoid of any joy. Empty of all expression.
	This man looks wise. Stereotypical I know. There’s a peace in his expression though, isn’t there? A deep peace. A steady gaze.
	If I didn’t know who this man was, would I see what I see? I like to think so. I see love and compassion mixed with a cheeky sparkle in the eye.
	This is sour. This is disaffected. Dissatisfaction. Discontent. A look that says ‘What the hell are you doing, you stupid woman?’
	Less disapproval and more distaste. ‘You’re not my kind of person. You’re just too…’ A kind of ‘Is there anything good in this world?’ kind of expression.
	And if I didn’t know who this was, would I see this beautiful openness and generosity of spirit? This gentle joy? This warmth and curiosity and depth of insight?

Who is like the wise?
Who knows the explanation of things?
A person’s wisdom brightens their face
and changes its hard appearance. Ecclesiastes 8:1

TO DO: Look in the mirror. Look long and hard. What would I see?