UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE...

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my collegedegree. The last class I had to takewas Sociology. The teacherwas absolutely inspiring with thequalities that I wish every human beinghad been graced with. Her last projectof the term was called "Smile."The class was asked to go out and smileat three people and document theirreaction. I am a very friendly personand always smile at everyoneand say, hello anyway ? so, I thought,this would be a piece of cake,literally. Soon after we were assignedthe project, my husband, youngest son,and I went out to McDonalds, one crispMarch morning. It was just our way ofsharing special playtime with ourson.We were standing in line, waitingto be served, when all of a suddeneveryone around us began to back away,and then even my husband did. I did notmove an inch ? an overwhelming feelingof panic welled up inside ofme as I turned to see why they hadmoved. As I turned around I smelled ahorrible "dirty body smell" and therestanding behind me weretwo poor homeless men. As I looked downat the short gentleman, close to me, hewas "smiling". His beautiful sky blueeyes were full of God's Light as hesearched for acceptance. He said, "Goodday" as he counted the few coins he hadbeen clutching.The second man fumbled with his handsas he stood behind his friend. Irealized the second man was mentallydeficient and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation. I held mytears ? as I stood there with them. Theyoung lady at the counter asked himwhat they wanted. He said, "Coffee isall Miss" because that was all theycould afford. Tosit in the restaurant and warm up, theyhad to buy something, and they justwanted to be warm.Then I really feltit ? the compulsion was so great Ialmost reached out and embraced thelittle man with the blue eyes. That iswhen I noticed all eyes in therestaurant were set on me ? judging myevery action. I smiled and asked theyoung lady behind the counter to giveme two more breakfast meals on aseparate tray. I then walked around thecorner to the table that the men hadchosen as aresting spot. I put the tray on thetable and laid my hand on the blue-eyedgentleman's cold hand. He looked up atme, with tears in his eyes, andsaid, "Thank you." I leaned over, beganto pat hishand and said, "I did not do this foryou ? God is here working through me togive you hope." I started to cry as Iwalked away to join my husband and son.When I sat down my husband smiled at meand said, "That is why God gave you tome honey ? to give me hope." We heldhands for a moment and at that time weknew that only because of the Gracethat we had been given that we wereable to give. That day showed me thepure Light of God's sweet love. Ireturned to college, on the lastevening of class, with this story inhand. I turned in "my project" and theinstructor read it ? then she looked upat me and said, "Can I share this?" Islowly nodded as she got the attentionof the class.She began to read and that is when Iknew that we, as human beings and beingpart of God, share this need to healpeople and be healed. In my own way Ihad touched the people at McDonalds, myhusband, son,instructor, and every soul that sharedthe classroom on the last night I spentas a college student.I graduated withone of the biggest lessons I would everlearn ? UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.Much love and compassion sent to eachand every person who may read this andlearn how to Love People and Use Things - Not Love Things and Use People.