We
always hear
the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk
being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. The
following account inspired by the writings an unknown
writer gives us 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 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.
By Tim
Pedrosa
When
faith is exercised in all things, big prayers are answered in a very big
way.
Thank
God for what you have, trust Him for what you need.
|
Tim