I got this inspiring story from our church's supplement. I would have asked permission from the author for reprinting but the author is unknown.
Here is the story.
I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) mad 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 has 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 reaction. 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. it was just our way of sharing special play time with 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 overwhelmimg feeling of panic welled up inside me as I turned to see whay they moved. As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell... and there standing behind me were two poor 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 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 them what they wanted. The man doing the ordering said "coffee is all miss" because that was all they could afford. To sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. 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 aksed 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 have chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and slid 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 hands and said, " I did not do this alone 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 are not church goers but we are believers.
I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned "my project" and the instructor read it... then she looked up at me and said. " May I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is why I knew that we, as human beings and being part of God, share the need to help people and be helped.
In my own way I had touched the poeple of Mcdonald's, my husband, son, instructor and every soul that I 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. Learn how to love people and use things...not love things and use people.
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