A Glass of Milk – Paid In Full

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?” “You don’t owe me anything,” she replied.

“Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.” He said, “Then I thank you from my heart.”

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Year’s later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She began to read the following words:

“Paid in full with one glass of milk”

Signed, Dr. Howard Kelly

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed, “Thank you God, that your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands”

Dr.Howard Atwood Kelly

(February 20, 1858 – January 12, 1943)

An American gynecologist. He was one of the "Big Four" founding professors at Johns Hopkins Hospital

Relection

1.Kindness will pay you back at the right time and place. Like all good deeds kindness is never wasted. Willingness to help anyone who comes your way, must be sincere and unconditional – the girl who gave the milk

2.Nobody however small he/she may be is unimportant to be ignored

3.Gratitude.Never forget your past especially those who had helped you when you were most desperate - Dr.Kelly

4.Never have enemies. Never know who you will need one day

5.Divine mystery. God works in mysterious ways, which we will not understand. He knows what to give us, how to give us and when to give us. As long as we continue to do the right thing He will give what we deserve and need at the right time, right place .