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 was invited to spend the weekend at his employer’s home. My friend, Michael was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than his house.
The first day and evening went well and Michael was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. His employer was quite generous as a host and took him to the finest restaurants for dinner. Michael knew he would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again so he was enjoying himself immensely.
As the two of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Michael. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment. Michael wondered, 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 him. Finally, he could stand it no longer. He casually mentioned that his 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 Michael to see.
He had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?
‘Look at it.’ He said. ‘Read what it says.’ Michael 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 Hashem 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! Hashem 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 stop to see if my trust IS in Hashem at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to Hashem; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold.
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, Hashem, I get the message.
Thought for the Day:
Face it, friend – Hashem is crazy about you!
He sends you flowers every spring.
He sends you a sunrise every morning.
Read this line very slowly and let it sink in…
If Hashem brings you to it, He will bring you through it.