The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
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 themThe 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 loveI 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. . Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. 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.
-- Edited by kerry5 at 15:42, 2007-02-12
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Life can only be understood backwards, But it must be lived forwards
I believe the point was not about the ending messages, but that we do need to share HP's grace whenever possible. Always appreciate what we have and be grateful, and always Pay it forward.
Christy
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If we think that miracles are normal, we will expect them. And expecting a miracle is the surest way to get one.
There now its not email spam , never ceases to amaze me how much people find criticizm in something that is meant to be a light in the disease of acoholism. Hope the correction is now to your liking moon.
kerry
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Life can only be understood backwards, But it must be lived forwards
Reguardless of where this story came from, it was touching, and I hope many people read it and feed the homeless.
My brother is hopeless, I can't do anything for him, but where I live, I do help them, I buy pizza, and bring it too them on the park benches, after the summer camping season, I give them our sleeping bags. I do much for them, as they are human, need good food, and warmth. They are someones loved ones too.
Only a few times have I given them $$, but have gone to downdown with many bus passes, or tickets, and handed them out on cold days, I feel they can ride the subway, or busses to keep warm, and maybe the bus or subway will take them to shelter.
Thank you, that story made me cry, not that I haven't been doing lots of that latley anyway.
barisax wrote: It's called a glurge. Google the term and you'll find thousands.
Barisax
Thanks for the correction and I think I'll pass on the google LOL. I get enough in my box without having to search for them.
Some bring a tear to my eye, however I think it's very comical when they say something like "And now if you're a true Christian, you should pass this on to 8 more people...you will be rewarded" or "If you don't want your children to be kidnapped, pass this on to as many people as you know" (rolling eyes)
Thanks for sharing that story kerry! May this be a reminder to all of us to follow God's example of love and reach out to others. We could be entertaining angels and not know it.
