By Diane Forrest
"Find a penny, pick it up,
and all the day: you'll have good luck."
Today is Lucky Penny Day. I used to have a huge penny that had lucky
penny written on it. It was a gift from
relatives who picked it up during one of their travels. I don't guess it was very lucky considering
the fact that it disappeared, however that doesn't stop me from reciting the
above line every time I see a penny on the ground.
This reminds me of a story I
read about man who also picked up pennies.
Several years ago, a friend of her husband and mine 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 as 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 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. 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.
So while you are out today, and if you see a penny on the ground, go
ahead and pick it up.
(All images from Google)
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