The Glass of Milk and The Sneeze

from www.PositiveChristianity.net

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods door-to-door to pay his way through school found that he had only one dime left—and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house.

However, when a lovely young woman opened the door, he lost his nerve. Instead of asking for food, he asked for a drink of water. She noticed he looked hungry, so she brought him a large glass of milk instead. 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 payment for a kindness.”

He said, “Then I thank you from my heart.”

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

Many years later, that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled, so they sent her to a larger hospital in the city, where specialists were called in to study her rare condition.

Dr. Howard Kelly was one of the specialists consulted. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.

He immediately went to her hospital room. Dressed in his doctor’s gown, he recognized her at once. Determined to do his best to save her life, he gave special attention to her case. After a long struggle, the battle was won.

Dr. Kelly requested that the final bill be sent to him for approval. After reviewing it, he wrote something on the edge and had it delivered to her room.

She feared opening the bill, certain it would take the rest of her life to repay. But when she finally looked at it, something on the side of the bill caught her attention. She read the words:

“Paid in full—with one glass of milk.”

(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her heart whispered a prayer: “Thank You, God, that Your love has been made known through human hearts and hands.”

There’s a saying: Bread cast upon the waters will return to you. The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you love at the least expected moment. Even if you never see it again, you will have made the world a better place—and isn’t that what life is truly all about?

The Sneeze

They walked in tandem—ninety-two students filing into the already-crowded auditorium at the University of Maryland. With maroon gowns flowing and caps on their heads, they looked almost as grown up as they felt.

 Dads swallowed hard behind proud smiles, and Moms freely brushed away tears.

 This class would not pray during commencement—not by choice, but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it. The principal and several students gave inspirational speeches, carefully staying within the guidelines. No one mentioned God. No one asked for blessings.

The speeches were nice, but routine—until the final one. A solitary student walked to the microphone. He stood silent for a moment. Then, it happened.

All 92 students suddenly sneezed—in perfect unison!

The speaker looked at the audience and simply said: “God bless you, each and every one of you.” Then he walked off stage.

The audience erupted in applause. The graduating class had found a simple, creative way to invite God’s blessing into their future.

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POSITIVE DAILY PRAYER:

I pray that I never miss the opportunity to give.

I pray that I never miss the opportunity to help.

I pray that I never miss the opportunity to bless.

I pray that I never miss the opportunity to be positive and uplifting.

I pray that I never miss the opportunity to say kind words.

I pray that I am a blessing everywhere I am.

Amen 

POSITIVE DAILY AFFIRMATION:

 I make a difference, today, in this day.