Tuesday, April 8, 2008

A Penny

I have gotten behind here a little on my blog, but I received an email from a friend today and thought I would share it as I love the message behind it. I do have Easter pictures to share and some other pictures but will get those up later. Enjoy!
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 w ere 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 casually 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 t o 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.

It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient..

4 comments:

Hacking it up said...

What a beautiful sentiment! I love that post!
It's true, when we put our trust in God, who is all powerful and all knowing, everything will be OK. :)
Love you!--you and your family are in our prayers, and our trust is in God.

Helen said...

I loved that. I alway say a penny saved is a penny earned but I will look at a penny different now.
Sometimes we forget what is really important in life and that God is in charge.
Love ya!!!

Unknown said...

What a great post.. You always have wonderful things to share :)It is a great reminder that God truly has a hand in everything...maybe I won't be so mad at Clayton any more when he runs out in the middle of the road to pick up a penny! (he doesn't do it as much anymore thank goodness!)
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Littletime said...

I love that story, Bill always picks up pennies but I don't think its for that same reason. Thanks for sharing we will never pick up a penny again without thinking about that in God we need to trust. Our thought and prayers are with you and your family at this time.