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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.
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... (author unknown)
*Find a
penny, pick it up,
all the day you'll have good luck*
* A penny for your
thoughts *
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RRartist4U: All of us are always looking
for "Us" somehow, we want purpose, we want plan for
living, we want a Map, but we forget it's already in us
PennyRVR: have a theory about that
- most of the time I'm content with what I have in the now
RRartist4U: and if you are content
with what you have in the now, what is the past, and what does
the future mean?
PennyRVR: the past shaped what I am
now and the future is unknown, and who knows how long a future
we have?
RRartist4U: I think you are happy with
your experiences in the past, and very comfortable with YOU. You
are a wonderful, caring, and loving person
PennyRVR: thank you, and that comes
from childhood experiences and development in life
RRartist4U: so you do have Much to
share, some great pennies. Now
you just have to let me buy one of those smiles that make you
who you are!
PennyRVR: smiles aren't for sale -
they are for giving!
RRartist4U: Yes, it only costs when
you don't know how great the value.
PennyRVR: exactly right
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