>Return-Path: >Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 16:51:42 -0500 >From: "Sinia Ongkeko" >To: , , , > >Subject: Unconditional Acceptance "Very Inspirational"..... > >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII >Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit >Content-Description: "cc:Mail Note Part" > > > > >______________________________ Forward Header __________________________________ >Subject: Unconditional Acceptance "Very Inspirational"..... >Author: Norminia Dayacap at IFF-PHILIPPINES >Date: 9/21/99 8:50 AM > > > >just for you. > >______________________________ Forward Header __________________________________ >Subject: Unconditional Acceptance "Very Inspirational"..... >Author: at INTERNET >Date: 09/20/1999 8:56 AM > > > >>> UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE >>>> >>>> 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 instructor 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 morning. It was just our way of >>>> sharing special play time 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 deficient >>>> and the blue eyed gentle man 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 >>>> m en 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 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. >>>> >>>> If you think this story has touched you in any >>>> way, please send this to >>>> everyone you know. > > > > > > >Attachment Converted: C:\EUDORA\RFC8222.TXT >