Upon sight of an older couple, arm in arm, an automatic smile ascended to my face. This was strange to me, for I was not in a disposition to smile at strangers. Actually, I was in a rather sour mood that day (much like today). Nevertheless, I smiled. When I say the smile was "automatic", I do not intend to deliver the idea that my smile was anything less than completely sincere. No, my smile was genuine; however, I also do not want to give the reader the idea that this incident had any lasting impact upon that sour mood I held. I was as despondent after the incident as I was before it. I suppose I smiled because that smiling older couple, arm in arm, expressed a peace and a joy that I long to have, and that if they could attain it, perhaps there was such a thing. Perhaps I just caught them at a good time. I don't even know if those two were Christians. They were different.

If anyone wishes to reason with me on my ravings, you may, but I know all the things you would say. I can't hear them. More than that would I appreciate your fervent and righteous prayers--that I would believe the wise things of hope you would speak if I were not deaf.
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Mark 9:34