a penny - forward email but very meaningful

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 hu sband'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 a20coin, 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.

 

Thought for the Day: If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring. He sends you a sunrise every morning.  Face it, friend - He is crazy about you! Send this to every beautiful person you wish to bless. God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow,sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way. Read this line very slowly and let it sink in. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. Pass this message to seven people except you and me. You will receive a miracle tomorrow (just do it)!