There are a myriad of things I could say about this song, and about this young man, my Championson.
Mike and I knew this kid was special on the day he was born. He entered the world and caught the attention of the labor and delivery team. In the background we heard people saying, “Listen to his cry! He is so peaceful!” and “That is the most peaceful sound I’ve ever heard from a newborn.”
We immediately knew that his name was aptly chosen, and he truly has always been Jeffrey Michael, “Divine Peace, who is Like the Lord.”
Before he was born, and while in the womb, Mike was already praying specific prayers over his son. These prayers developed through the years, continuing daily until Mike’s passing.
Together we prayed:
Heavenly Father,
Send Your angels to watch over us and protect us.
Please give J. Michael
A Healthy Body,
A Happy Heart,
A Teachable Spirit,
A Love for Worship,
A Peaceful Soul,
Patience and Understanding of the world around him.
Give him the Wisdom to know what is right
And the Courage to do it.
Please help him stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves,
And to walk in the Light of Your Son.
J. Michael, You are Safe.
You are Loved.
And It’s in Jesus’ Name we pray,
Amen.
A Happy Heart, and a teachable spirit.
That was a phrase that our friends Thomas and Shelby Bose prayed over their sons and that our friends Jeff and Shannon Scott and Mike and I grabbed onto for our own children. Out of the myriad of things I wish I could say about this young man and the writing of this song, I absolutely have to zone in on those two words that have become ingrained in the essence of who he is:
Happy. Teachable.
I’ve watched Jeffrey live with a happy heart, and CHOOSE it on purpose when it has been hard. But this year brought the direct hit — a would-be faith assault — and with that hit came the opportunity to collapse into angst and despair. Any “normal 12-year-old” would have, or so it seems. Surely he “had the right to!” Right?
When Mike was taken to the hospital, the kids were staying with close friends. I received this text from my dear friend Stephanie:
“i asked jm before bed if he was worried…thinking i could offer words of comfort if so…his response: ‘no.’ *very confidently* ‘no…i know there’s little chance he will make it out of this. but…i don’t believe in chance…i believe in God.'”
Throughout the hospital days and nights, he prayed for his father with that strong belief. But his dad died anyway. I had no idea what kind of challenge this would become to not only hold my own faith intact, but also that of my children.
This, friends, is where the years and years of choosing “happy hearts and teachable spirits” was set on grand display! And I watched something miraculous rise out of my kids. BECAUSE IT WAS ALREADY PART OF WHO THEY HAD BECOME!
A few weeks after Mike’s earthly departure, J. Michael responded to my nightly question of “How is your heart?” a little differently.
I’ll never forget his words:
“Mom, at first I thought I’d be mad at God for allowing this. I mean, I’m twelve and Sadie is eight. [pause] But then, I realized something; it’s good that if this had to happen anyway that it did happen when I’m twelve and Sadie is eight. If we were older, you would be going through this all alone. But now, you have us.”
These are only a few of SO MANY moments such as these. And it’s not fake. These kids are the real deal; I’m not able to make this happen on my own! An eternal perspective has been sewn into these two God-followers, and they well up with faith and determination that bring hope front-and-center, when I would imagine that they should be rebelling and falling apart.
After Christmas, our friends Mabyn and Daniel [Mabyn is the artist who has flooded our lives with such amazing photos!] gave Jeffrey his first ukulele. On the first day of playing his first uke, he wrote his FIRST-EVER song to start the year, “Smile Away the Tears.”
He had cried with me a few days before that when he told me, “I know God is doing something, but I keep asking Him to make up for this. He has to make up for this, Mom.”
“Me too, J. Michael. Me too. And I believe that He will. He would not have allowed this for nothing. We can keep asking, and rising. That’s what we can do.”
That raw thought and emotion found its way out of his heart and into his song, and it’s probably the line that got to me the most!
So… I share all of this with you to let you know that to “smile away the tears” does NOT mean to fake a happiness that will cause a mental collapse down the road. It does NOT mean to imagine that it’s all okay, ignoring the chaos and sorrow that must be handled and overcome.
What is DOES mean is this: Finding a Happy Heart is choosing to discipline the will, to intentionally place the mind in the seat of HOPE, and then to keep on walking out daily steps of life with a trust that God is up to something bigger than you. Living with a teachable spirit is providing God your soul-canvas on which to watch His miracles become.
So this song is calling us all to “Happy hearts and teachable spirits!”
Because “something big IS going on” and it’s “something nobody could have ever done.”
Thank you, Jeffrey Michael, for providing this incredible song in your darkest night.
You are a Champion.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Full Song Lyrics
Smile Away the Tears
Losing a part of you can be very hard
Something that was right here now is too far
It’s breaking, I’m shaking, I’m burning from the inside
Going through the worst pain makes me realize
That something big is going on
Something nobody could’ve ever done
But I know that I am not alone
And it sure does make me feel strong
To smile away the tears
Smile away the tears
Don’t let sadness become part of you
It may be temporary but it shouldn’t ever be you
You feel like giving up your entire life
But I hope that these words help you realize
That something great is happening
Something you could’ve never seen
And I know that He’ll make it up to you
So here is something to get you through
Smile away the tears
Smile away the tears
Smile away the tears
Smile away the tears
Smile away the tears
Smile away the tears
Smile away the tears
(When you’re shakin’, when you’re breakin’)
Smile away the tears
(Keep your head up, gettin’ better)
Smile away the tears
(When you’re shakin’, when you’re breakin’)
Smile away the tears
(Keep your head up, gettin’ better)
Smile away the tears
(When you’re shakin’, when you’re breakin’)
Smile away the tears
(Keep your head up)
Oh
Your children are absolutely incredible. They have risen beautifully in their own ways, and this amazing song so perfectly tells your son’s heart – broken, but strong in courage; hurting, but full of the faith you and Mike taught, demonstrated, lived, and loved … every. single. day. Keep smiling through the tears and believing with all of your hearts, Shroyer3. God is making up for this, making beauty from ashes, holding you together, and being glorified through your lives – and through Mike’s eternal life. <3
Thank you, Crystal!
From the first time I heard this song, soon after J Michael wrote it, I was deeply impacted by the hope and peace he radiates.
I love you 3!!
Thank you for this beautiful gift!❤️️
Thank you Sheri!
Yes. Oh JMichael the arduous task of glorifying God even in our deepest darkest grief. Well done.
He says, “Thank you!”
Allison, we worshipers from the darker side need to stick together!
Out of great darkness, there shines a glorious Light!
Love you, and I think of you often.
Just beautiful. JMichael you have been given a wonderful gift to share with this world. Thank you for this song filled with hope. And joy.
Thank you Karen!
Something bigger IS going on, J Michael. Christ IN YOU the hope of glory. Remember, I am praying for you!
You two are prayer buddies!
He loves knowing that.
Thank you for encouraging him!
Amazing song just like the amazing young man who wrote it. The prayers you and Mike prayed over him have truly been answered in so many ways. He is such a caring and thoughtful kid. He had truly made a difference in my son’s life. God has an amazing plan for these 2 kids.
Awesome!
Thank you, Tracey.
“Listen to his cry, he is so peaceful” Love this! Such a wonderful young man. So blessed to know him – to see him smile & laugh. I know his heart has been broken, yet the joy in him (a true gift from God alone) is so evident. EVERYONE loves J. Michael (well actually the Shroyer3). Thank you for sharing this song from J. Michael’s heart and for adding your beautiful words, Ami! May MANY be blessed by it.
I am SOOOO glad you picked up on that!
Some of the best things are when those seemingly insignificant moments take on gigantic meaning down the road.
Thank you, Dawn!
So, so beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing your heart and your family. Love you!
Thanks so much, Kathy!!!
I cant wait for this CD to come out. This is one of those songs that when I hear it I want to know the story behind it because it ministers to me so much. I am glad to know the story behind it. It made me cry. The holidays are rough for me. Though my mother died many years ago, these are times my heart aches for her to be here, holding me and comforting me. The fact that you released this today is a real comfort because I know that someone out there feels the way I do. I’m not alone in my feelings. Thank your son for me. He’s an amazing talent.
This comment is EXACTLY what we were hoping for when we realized that this song’s release was about to land on Thanksgiving Day! We pray you have a blessed day today, Bridget.
I have been so touched by every song! Great job, J man! I remember when your mom posted a little snippet of this song months back, it was stuck in my head for days! I again just want to say how much I love you all and how much I am encouraged by your strength, vulnerability, love of God and great faith. I am truly so honored to know you and call you my friends! Thank for you sharing your gifts, talents and heart with us! MANY will find solace through your music. Can’t wait to get the album!
Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for you! ❤️
Thank you, Donna! Love you!!!
What beautiful words. I couldn’t help but tear up and be encouraged through this song.
Wise beyond his years…changing lives one song at a time.
Thank you, Melissa!
I’m glad it blessed you.
Beautiful!
Thank you, Angela!
I absolutely love this song…I could listen to this on repeat all day long. JM, you have an incredible gift, an incredible, incredible gift. I love you all so much!
This one and he duet of the kids that I am about to release are the two that I’ve done that with. Repeat. Again and again. Thank you for the encouragement!
Oh my goodness! Amazing, from such a brave young man.
Well done J Michael! You truly are a champion and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you. But I do know this – it’s gonna be GREAT! ❤️
Great song JMichael, brought tears. Know that deep pain from losing someone so close and in an untimely manner. Thank you for ministering to my heart.