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, youngest son, and I went out to
McDonalds, on a 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 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, "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 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 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
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.
Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please
authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances
dictate.
Send by Sherry M. Keith-Rudd SMKeith@aol.com
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.