Paid in full by a glass of milk

One hot summer day a little more than 100 years ago, a young medical studentwas going from house to house in a farming community in Maryland, sellingbooks to earn money to pay for his education.

Late one afternoon he called at a farmhouse where the only one at home was ateenage girl. After he made his presentation, the girl said, "I'm so sorry,but my mother is a widow and we can't afford to buy books."

The young man then asked, "Would you be so kind as to give me a drink ofwater?"

"Sure. But we have plenty of milk in the spring house. Wouldn't you ratherhave a glass of cold milk instead?"

"I would be most grateful," the young man replied.

Years passed. The medical student became a skilled physician. One day whilemaking his rounds he thought he recognized a patient as the person who, as agirl, had been kind to him. She, however, was too sick to recognize him.Things began to happen. The young woman was moved to a private room andgiven the finest care medical science could offer.

One day a nurse said to her, "Tomorrow you're going home."

"I'm glad," said the patient, "but the bill worries me."

"Let me go get it, and we'll see how much it is.

"The nurse returned with the treasurer of the hospital, who presented thebill to the patient. She glanced at the bottom line. She was shocked at thehigh amount! But then she noticed these words written across the statement:"Paid in full by a glass of milk. Howard A. Kelly, M.D."

Several years ago a preacher moved to Houston, Texas.

Some weeks after he arrived, he had occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change.

As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, you better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it. Then he thought, "Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount?

Anyway the bus company already gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a gift from God and keep quiet."

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me too much change."

The driver with a smile, replied, "Aren't you the new preacher in town? I have been thinking lately about going to worship somewhere. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change."

When my friend stepped off the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, and held on, and said, "O God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter."

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. So live to reflect what is written...