"The Smile Project"


 
A mother of three (ages 14, 12, and 3) recently completed her 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.  The woman was a very friendly person and always smiled at everyone and said hello, she thought this would be a piece of cake.
 

Soon after she was assigned this project her husband and youngest son and her, went out to McDonalds one crisp March morning.  It was their way of sharing special time with their son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around them began to back away even her husband.  She did not move an inch, an overwhelming feeling of panic came over her as she turned to see why they had moved.  As she turned around she smelled a horrible "dirty body " smell, and there standing behind her were two poor homeless men.

As she looked down at the short gentleman, close to her, 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.  She realized the second man was mentally deficiant and the blue eyed man was his salvation.  She held her tears as she stood there with them.   The young lady behind the counter asked them 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. ) 

Then she really felt it….the compulsion was so great she almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.  That is when she noticed all eyes in the Restaurant were on her, judging her every action .  She smiled and asked the lady behind the counter to give her two breakfast meals on a separate tray.  She then walked over to where the men had chosen to sit and rest.  She put the tray on the table and laid her hand on the blue eyed gentleman's cold hand. He looked up at her with tears in his eyes and said thank you.  She patted his hand and leaned over and said" I did not do this for you God is working through me to give you Hope"

She returned to college, with this story in hand turned in her project and the instructor read it she looked up at me and said "can I share this?" The lady nodded slowly as she got the attention of the class.  She began to read and that is when she knew that we as human beings and being part of God, share this need to heal people and be healed. She graduated with one of the biggest lessons she 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.

An Angel wrote: 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 it’s nest.