Breakfast at McDonald'sThis is a good story and is true, please read it all >the way through until the end! (After the story, there are some very >interesting facts!):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 a bsolutely 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 playtime 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 looke d 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 >challenged 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 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 peop learned to be healed.In my own way I had touched the >people at McDonald's, my 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 >toLOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USEPEOPLE.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 it's food, but He does not throw it into its >nest