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 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 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.
Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may
read this and learn how to LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE
THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.
BLACKBURNE & BROWN
MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC.
George Blackburne, III, Esq.
President and Chief Procrastinator
You
can reach George at george@blackburne.com
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