This is a very beautiful living example of the Ministry of

"Unconditional Acceptance"

Whoever wrote this e-mail has added value to our world on Earth by
showing how Christ can minister through His believers and provide
encouragement, hope and blessing to people who are going through
difficult times of Great Need!

>
>>Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 19:34:04 PST
>>
>> UNCONDITIONAL 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 play
>>time 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 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 be healed. In my own way I had touched the people at
>>McDonalds, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that
>>shared the classroom onthe 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 - NOTLOVE 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.
AMEN!!!!