| The Day God went to McDonalds |
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A mother of three recently completed her
college degree.The last class she took was Sociology.
The teacher was absolutely inspiring with
qualities that few people are graced with.
Her last project of the term was called,
'Smile.' The class was asked to go out and smile at a few strangers, and document their reactions.
This is the story that this mother shared with her instructor, and class.
I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this assignment would be a piece of cake.
Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, my kids, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning.
While 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 own family 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 shorter gentleman, closest to me, he was 'smiling'. His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance from me.
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 this blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation. I held my tears as I chose stay right where I was in line, and not back away from them. I smiled at them both with a feeling of absolute overwhelming love and affection.
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 them with all the strength in my body.... knowing fully at that moment that it would not be my strength at all causing this complusive feeling inside of me.
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 warm hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand. It almost felt like electricity. The feeling of love and compassion being poured into me through God.
He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, 'Thank you mam.'
I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said : "I"....... did not do this for you. God is here , and He decided to use me to give you hope today.
As I walked away I felt the warm tears sliding down my cheeks. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, 'You know......That is why God gave you to me.You give me hope too.
We held hands for a moment and during that time the realization that it is because of Grace .....that we have what we have in this world, which enabled us to be able to give.
We have not always been consistent church-goers, but we are consistent believers. That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.
I returned to college, and 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 HIS creation we share this need to heal and reach out to people who might otherwize be lost.
In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my family, instructor,
and my classmates. Through Grace I realized that I was simply the device used to share His Beautiful Love, Mercy, and Hope. 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 "really" Love and appreciate those they hold dear. Remember, people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave their footprints on your heart.
Also remember, 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.
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