What a beautiful story. Thanks.
Marilyn
----- Original Message -----
From: steve doyle
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2009 2:06 PM
Subject: [RecipesAndMore] Breakfast at McDonald's
Breakfast at McDonald's
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 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 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 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 people and to
be healed.
In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my son, the 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.
A single candle can illuminate an entire room. A true friend lights up
an entire lifetime. Thanks for the bright lights of your friendship.
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