Never go on appearance

A young man was getting ready to graduate college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He then handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box.

Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible. Angrily, he raised his voice at his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy book.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.

Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and had willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped onto the inside back cover of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words...PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we miss God's blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?


http://www.indian.cl/incredible/appearance.htm

Kindness Pays

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 payment
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.

Years 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 hm 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 as She read these 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 abroad through human hearts and hands."

Hunter

Animal Tails: Rottweiler as Superhero!

Hunter was snoozing on the floor of the motel room next to the bed when he heard a loud commotion. His mom, Melodie Thompson, was just entering the room when someone shoved her inside and slammed the door shut. Hunter’s ears perked up to listen.

He heard a stranger’s voice angrily demand money. Normally, whenever anyone raises their voice the big rottweiler-mix hides under a table or behind a bed, but something was different. When Melodie told the stranger she had no money, Hunter could hear the fear in her voice. He got up and stood at the end of the bed. The stranger was pointing a gun in mom’s face.

Hunter growled fiercely. As soon as the man looked his way, Hunter charged. Three shots rang out but the big dog wasn’t afraid. Crouching on his front haunches, he barked a warning to “back off” and prepared to attack. A fourth shot brought Hunter down.

The gunman grabbed a purse from the table, ripped the phone cord out of the wall and then shot the helpless dog a fifth time on his way out the door.


In less than a minute, the world turned upside down for Hunter and his family.
Hunter has been an important part of Melodie’s life since his birth two years ago. Keenly alert to her emotions, he has been especially comforting during a difficult period when she, husband Mark Reed and their daughter lost their home and now struggle to turn their lives around. His playful spirit has kept a smile in their hearts. The family was astonished the docile dog defended Melodie, but his near-fatal wounds devastated them.

“I feel so guilty,” Melodie cried. “It happened so fast, I should have protected him. He was almost killed saving me.”

Hunter was rushed to MedVet Hospital, an animal emergency care center where doctors had to stabilize him before removing four bullets—one to each front leg, a third in the shoulder and the fourth behind an ear. The fifth bullet was lodged so close to his spine it could not be removed safely. The surgeon feared the heroic dog might never walk again, but with physical therapy he felt Hunter’s youth and determination could help him recover partial mobility. It took only the presence of Melodie to lift Hunter’s spirits. As soon as he heard her voice his tail started beating against the floor.

Once the dog was released, the family began the recovery process. Physical therapy includes rotating and flexing his legs several times a day. It takes two people to lift the 100-pound dog with towels slung behind his front legs and under his belly. It is a difficult and time-consuming process to help him regain his strength.

Saving Hunter’s life posed new problems for his family. The first was MedVets bill for nearly $4,000. With nowhere to turn for help, the family was frantic. That’s when CBS Columbus affiliate, WBNS-TV10, stepped in and covered the story allowing Melodie to appeal for help from viewers. The story was picked up by area media and the hospital started receiving mail addressed to ‘Hunter’ and ‘Hunter’s owners’ expressing sympathy and prayers and including donations for Hunter’s expenses.

“We are so grateful to these wonderful people for their prayers and generosity,” Melodie said. “Would you please use your column to thank them for us?”

The family is unable to send a personal acknowledgement because when the letters were turned over to them the names, addresses and donation amounts had been cut out. According to MedVet Hospital Administrator, Doug McMillan, it is their policy not to release donor information. He also declined to reveal the amount donated and the family was told only 50 percent of the donations would go to Hunter. Melodie’s family was still responsible for half the bill. After interviewing the administrator and talking with MedVet’s attorney for this story, the hospital decided all Hunter’s expenses, including aftercare and whirlpool therapy, would be covered.

Eight weeks after the robbery, the gunman has not been found. However, Hunter’s recovery has been remarkable. He can stand and walk without assistance. His movements must still be closely monitored because one paw continues to curl under when he tries to use it.

There are many heroes involved in Hunter’s case including the critical care team at MedVet who saved Hunter’s life, the television stations and newspapers that carried the family’s plea for help and the people who responded with their prayers and generosity.

Despite difficulties that feel overwhelming at times, the family repays Hunter’s devotion and sacrifice each and every day. Their love and compassion are his best medicine. With such an inspiring family, it is no surprise that Hunter turned out to be a superhero.

www.animaltails.org.