Just a Penny

Edward F.  Lundwall Jr.

You 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. 

Several years ago, my friend Arlene and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the home of her husband's employer. Arlene was anxious about the weekend. Her 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 entering an exclusive restaurant, the boss walking ahead of Arlene and her husband, suddenly stopped to look down on the pavement. He reached down and picked up a penny.

He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure.

Arlene thought it strange that this wealthy man would take the time to stop and pick it up.

Throughout dinner, the scene tugged at her mind. Finally, she casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection and wondered if the penny he had found had 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?

"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?"

"If I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it. When God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him, who am I to pass it by? I pick the coin up as a response to God. 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!"

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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.