When You Find a Penny
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 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 at the pavement for
a long, silent moment.
Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There
There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened
A penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarettes
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
State’s 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!
The way to start 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!
Meditation: For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” – Hebrews 13:5-6
Also read:
- The Ordinance of Firstfruits (2): Debunking the Myths
- Understanding God: He Starts Afresh
- We are Nothing Without Each Other
- Opened and Closed
- I Prayed to God For My Dad’s Life
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