Tuesday, May 15, 2012

PENNIES ARE PLENTIFUL

     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 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... ?”

            He explained, “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 my 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 add 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...

5 comments:

  1. Ginger...have I ever told you how much your friendship and wisdom mean to me?

    As I prepare for this move, I have to get Handicapped Transportatio to take me to Target where I then walk to the Post Office, mail off our belongings, walk back to Target and wait for my return bus ride. (There are a lot of adjustments you make when you can drive yourself.)

    Our Target has a picnic type area before the bank of windows that let me watch the parking lot for my return bus. I always sit at the smallest table with it's on ledge for the windown on my right that show the exit and entrance area. On this ledge for the longest time has been this penny. Every time I see it I smile because it's still there. I take it to me all is right with the world and this penny, though small, and seemingly insignificant is my personal welcoming symbol.

    I had not thought about the "IN GOD WE TRUST" imprint upon all our coins, but maybe my soul feels happy seeing that coin because it knew the message you wrote here.

    Thank you for helping me make sense over my delight in seeing this one penny over and over again. I hope it remains there over the next two weeks so I will always have a smile on my face while I sit at Target after shipping off 78 pounds of our belongings and my knees hurt, my fingers are swollen with rheumatoid arthritis, but all is right with the world.

    Love You Oh Wise One.

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    1. LIn ~ no problem . . . I'm so glad this story on pennies touched you. I feel the same way . . . I look at pennies so differently - what a great reminder God is patient. :) Rita

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  2. Lin and Everyone,
    As much as I'd like to take credit for Rita's awesome posts, I think a lot of you don't realize that Rita is my partner in crime now...she blogs on certain days and I have others. This wonderful post was one of hers, and I agree, it was very inspirational.

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  3. What a wonderful story. I'll look at pennies a different way from now on. Thank you, Rita, for sharing with us.

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    1. You are welcome, Roseanne. I love it when the simplest thing takes on a whole new meaning . . . one that makes us stop and think for a while, or one that makes us reflect. It's the simplest things in life that can bring us the most joy. Glad you enjoyed.

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