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I am a mother of three
(ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree.
The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was
absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human
being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was
called "Smile."
The class was asked to
go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I
am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say
hello anyway, so, I thought this would be a piece of cake,
literally.
Soon after we were
assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to
McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing
special play time with our son.
We were standing in
line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around
us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not
move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside
of me as I turned to see why they had moved.
As I turned around I
smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind
me were two poor homeless men.
As I looked down at
the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling". His beautiful
sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for
acceptance. He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had
been clutching.
The second man fumbled
with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the
second man was mentally deficient and the blue eyed gentleman was
his salvation.
I held my tears as I
stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him
what they wanted. He said, "Coffee is all Miss" because that was
all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant
and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be
warm).
Then I really felt it
- the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced
the little man with the blue eyes.
That is when I noticed
all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every
action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to
give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked
around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a
resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the
blue eyed gentleman's cold hand.
He looked up at me,
with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you." I leaned over,
began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is
here working through me to give you hope." I started to cry as I
walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband
smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey. To
give me hope."
We held hands for a
moment and at that time we knew that only because of the Grace
that we had been given were we able to give. We are not church
goers, but we are believers. That day showed me the pure Light of
God's sweet love.
I returned to college,
on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in
"my project" and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me
and said, "Can I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the
attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew
that we as human beings and being part of God, share this need to
heal people and be healed.
In my own way I had
touched the people at McDonald's, my husband, son, instructor, and
every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as
a college student. I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I
would ever learn: UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE. Much love and
compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and
learn how to LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE
PEOPLE. If you think this story has touched you in any way, please
send this to everyone you know.
There is an Angel sent
to watch over you. In order for her to work, you must pass this on
to the people you want watched over.
An Angel wrote: Many
people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends
will leave footprints in your heart.
To handle yourself,
use your head, To handle others, use your heart.
God Gives every bird
it's food, but He does not throw it into it's nest
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