Thursday, July 23, 2009

A PENNY/Thankful Thursday

thankful thurs

penny

 

 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 home of her husband's employer.

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.  Her 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 one 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 great Thursday!

Barbara

19 comments:

Stacey said...

Barbara, I really like this message. I will never forget it. :)

SmilingSally said...

My prayer is that this country continues to trust in God.

Southern Lady said...

Beautiful story, Barbara. I always avoid picking up pennies because I don't want to get my hands dirty, but you can be sure from now on I will pick them up and remember this inspiring story.

Chatty Crone said...

Beautiful message and I hope and pray that is always stays in God We Trust.

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Oh Barbara! I have heard that story and shared it many times with my kids and grandkids. They do not walk past a penny. (For me it is like someone who is superstitous about a ladder), well I know God is talking to me, and I never pass by. I pick it up, say my prayer and thank him for stopping by at the very minute in my day, that I needed him. I am so glad to see that you shared this with so many today. It has touched my soul as always. What a wonderful post, and have a great day. Happy Thursday, Sherry

trash talk said...

A penny for your thoughts? It's a wise man who sees a penny as more than just a cent, but as a promise.
Debbie

LV said...

Barbara, enjoyed your views on the penny. I have heard that story many times. I pick up all the pennies I find and have done that for years. It is sad they are trying to take a wonderful meaning off of everything that uses that phrase.

Ginny said...

Great message, Barbara. I never quite noticed that before, even when I stopped to pick up a penny. From now on, I will be more attentive to what God is telling me!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Barbara, that is a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing it. I needed to hear that today...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Shelley said...

Such a great story with a positive message. We all need to trust in god.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Awwwwwwww... Barbara, you still have TWO more shots at it. I'm sure you were on that first drawing, and if not, I'll add your name! Feel better??? ;-)

AND you are entered for the Birthday drawing... so that's TWO more chances!

XO,

Sheila :-)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, and wait a minute, YOU, my dear are not even a follower! LOL! So, you lessened your OWN odds. ;-)

Eclectic Chic Style said...

Wow Barbara, you just gave me chillbumps. Great great story!!! I absolutely love it.
♥ Teresa

Abatevintage said...

Hi Barbara, It was wonderful to have you over for tea, stop back by anytime. It was hard to do the blog about Amy seeing her in the state she is in now is extremely hard from what our memories are. I look at the pictures on my blog for comfort for the future to hold better memories for Amy. Thank you again for stopping by for tea, I thought with the end of the week coming up it would be a nice change of pace.

Cheers,
Heidi

Coloradolady said...

Great post...I always pick up pennies too....you don't see too many on the sidewalks these days!

jeanne said...

Hi Barbara, we are still in Kansas but we will be home Sunday night. I can't wait to get home for good.

Your story about the penny is so wonderful. I have always picked up pennies for good luck and now I have a better reason. I never thought of this before. Thank you for the beautiful thought and for your faithful comments.

Hugs...Jeanne

jeanne said...

I forgot to mention I have a surprise on my post today. Jeanne, again

Simply Debbie said...

Dear Barbara,
Awesome story....I shall never forget it....I always thought of the penny as like a sparrow....most do not see the value but God does and a penny in God's hands will go a long way....
beautiful post........I am catching up on your posts I missed....I am blessed by this one
Angel Hugs
love
debbie

Lori E said...

So this could be pennies from heaven. As they say take care of the pennies and the nickels will take care of themselves.
Were you still going to use that Atta Girl award from my site? Please let me know if you do so I can add to the list.