I received this from a friend and thought it was worth passing on to
you. Please feel free to forward it to anyone you think might benefit
from these words...
Have a great day!
Trixi
Unconditional Love
"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
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, my youngest son,
and
I went out to McDonalds, 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
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 deficient and the
blue eyed
gentle man 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 sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to
buy
someting...they 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
winking 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 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
(part of God) share this need to heal.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 I spent as a college student. I
graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever
learn...unconditional
acceptance...after all...we are here to learn!
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."
(I have no idea of the author of this document - if you recognise it as
yours please contact me and you will
receive the credit that is deserved. It was sent to me in an email and I
thought it was a really lovely story)
--
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