Healing and Smiles

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 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 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 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 this
need
to heal people and be healed.  In my own way I had touched the people at
McDonald's, 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.
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.

If you think this story has touched you in any
way, please send this to  everyone you know.

Submitted by: David Brollier

Would love to give credit if you know the author, please
e-mail Sharon