I got this in an e-mail from my friend Leisa and I can't help but share it with the rest of you. It touches my heart dearly and is in a sense a testimony of my love for my Savior Jesus Christ and the real test of why we are sent to earth to do God's work.
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 son,the 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.
I know that I am a Daughter of God. And so it is the same with every individual that has ever or will come to this earth to receive a body of flesh - we are all sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. As such, it is our responsibility to treat all just as that - our brothers and sisters. I have struggled to do so but this simple story has taught me so much. Especially in this time of season I hope that I can be more giving to those that I love and those that I don't "know" because I have met all my brothers and sisters in the previous life and I hope that we can all return to our Heavenly Father and brother Jesus Christ in the next life. I know it will make more sense to me when I have my own family someday that I want all my children to return to our Heavenly Father and live for eternity together. We all need to help each other out to return our our Father because He loves us unconditionally - we will all make mistakes, some small, some great, but we can be forgiven through the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. He died for us that we can repent and be cleansed so that we can show ourselves unto our Father as a clean spirit and being. I know this to be true, for I have felt of the truth through the Holy Ghost and can testify of the great love and power of our Heavenly Father. Come unto Him. I am so grateful for this time of year to reflect on our Savior's birth and the perfect human example He is that has ever come on this earth or ever will. Let us all remember the real meaning of Christmas :) Merry Christmas to all!!!
4 years ago
