Breakfast at McDonalds ( Archived) (16)

Very good message...enjoy!!
>
>
> Breakfast at McDonald's
> This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through
> until
> the end! (After the story, there are some very interesting facts!):
>
> 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 s pot. 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 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.
>
> May each person who may read this, learn how to LOVE PEOPLE AND USE
> THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.
>
> 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.
>

oh man thats so beautiful, i will admit i just teared up. This story is what life is all about, touching another in a time of need.

Gee thanks Katers I needed tears in my eyes at 3 in the morning

U are an angel.Those men will never forget you.When you are down and out it is rare for any human compassion for one another these days.I had a tradgedy recently and was lucky to have a kind stranger when it was needed.I am a big believer in karma.

Wonderful, this experience should be required reading for everyone.

Glad you all enjoyed it.

Just wondering if you noticed how the other people reacted to what you did. I do that stuff all the time, and actually feel sorry for the people who look at me like I am crazy or something. Guess they just don't get it, sucks for them eh?
But I have never heard this excellent expression...
"learn how to LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE."
Do you mind if I quote you?