I think this has been sent before....but I think sometimes
we need a
little
reminding of how important it is to smile and be kind.
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 challenged 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 set 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 to 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 on.
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 its food, but He
does not throw it into its nest. Keep this going. E-mail all your friends this
message. E-mail all those friends you never met.
