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The Penny
You always hear the
usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good
luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time
I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you
something to think about....
Several years ago,a friend of mine and her husband were
invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's
home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend.
The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the
waterway, and cars costing more than her house.
The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was
delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very
wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous
as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants.
Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to
indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was
enjoying herself immensely.
As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive
restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly
ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly,
looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.
Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There
was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny
that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts.
Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the
penny. He held it
up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had
found a great treasure.
How absurd! What need did this man have for a single
penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick
it up? Throughout
dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she
could stand it no longer. She causally mentioned that
her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if
the penny he had found had been of some value.
A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into
his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see.
She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of
this? "Look at
it." He said. "Read what it says." She read the words
"United States of America."
"No, not that; read further."
"One cent?" "No, keep reading."
"In God we Trust?" "Yes!" "And?"
"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on
a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription.
It is written on every single United States coin, but we
never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in
front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it
by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust
IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a
response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short
time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think
it is God's way of starting a conversation with me.
Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!
When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the
sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that
I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things
I cannot change. I read the words, "In God We Trust,"and
had to laugh.
Yes, God, I get the message.
Pennies are plentiful....
And, God is patient
Have a blessed day!!
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