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 reaction. 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 McDonalds, on a 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 shortest 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. To be
able to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something.

They just wanted to be warm. Then I really felt it...a compulsion 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 reaction.

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. 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 McDonalds, 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 sent to each and every person who may read
this
- learn how to LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE
PEOPLE.

--
Colleen Marchant
colleen@marchant.net