Inspiration and unconditional acceptance

[Guest guest]

--

 

Inspiring story..............

 

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 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 " (I think he was Aussie *s*) 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 very 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 we were 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. Here is an Angel sent to watch over you. In order for

the Angel 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.

Anger is only one letter short of danger.

 

Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds

discuss people.

 

The tongue weighs practically nothing, but so few people can hold it.

 

He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses more;

 

He who loses faith, loses all.

 

Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make

them all yourself.

 

Keep this going. E-mail all your friends this message. E-mail all those

friends you ever met. Those you have..and those you've lost along the

way.

 

And have a wonderful day! )

 

--------- End Forwarded Message ---------

 

 

 

Send your favorite photo with any online greeting!

http://www.whowhere.lycos.com/redirects/americangreetings.rdct