A Penny- Pat Richards Whitehead forward

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.











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