Smile

Breakfast at McDonald's

This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way 
through until the end! (After the story, there are some very 
interesting facts!): 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 
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 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 t his need to heal people 
and to be healed.

In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my 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.

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 
its nest.