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 playtime 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. (They just wanted to sit down and 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 churchgoers, 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 share it everyone you know.
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. Anger is only one letter short of danger. Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds
discuss people. God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest. He, who loses money, loses much; He, who loses
a friend, loses more; He who loses faith, loses all. Beautiful young people are acts of nature, but beautiful old people are works
of art. Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself. The tongue weighs practically nothing,
but so few people can hold it.