A 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 ell, 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 she 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 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... Have a blessed day!!