THE "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 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 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 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 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 still 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..