NONCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE
 

 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. We are not churchgoers, 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 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.
 If you think this story has touched you in any
 way, please send this to  everyone you know.
 

 May God bless you.

author unknown, thanks for sharing