Unconditional Acceptance

[kimberlyco]

When I get emails like this I usually just toss it and don't read it at all, but this caught my eye, and I actually teared up when I read it, now if only everyone in the world could be like this woman. What a better place it would be.

GRACE AT MCDONALDS...

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 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 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 will 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 on.

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 its food, but

He does not throw it into its nest. Please keep this

going.