I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have
recently completed my college degree at Texas A&M. 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 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 McDonalds, on a 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 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 shortest
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, "Goodie" 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 to be able to sit in the restaurant and warm up; they had to buy something
they just wanted to be warm. Then I really felt it a compulsion 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 reaction. 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, 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 McDonalds, my husband, son, instructor,
and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night spent as a college student.
I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn UNCONDITIONAL
ACCEPTANCE. Much love and compassion sent to each and every person who may read this.
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 pass it on.