Monday, April 18, 2005

So Much to Do......

Hum.....So much to do and so little time!  Monday is a race.  The house is chaos after everyone home over the weekend.  There is shopping to do.  And bills to be paid.  Plus my e-mail is usually overflowing as I am on-line less during weekends.  Oh, and the laundry has always pile up AGAIN.......On the inside I feel happy and blessed!  But outwardly I feel overwhelmed!  There is no way it will all be done.  May the Lord guide me to what is sufficient for the day!  I want to try to copy a very encouraging little word that a dear Sister e-mailed to me.  I call it Lucky Penny or Pennies from Heaven. 

 

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. 
    

 Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband 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 was 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. 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

I do not know the source of this little piece......to whomever I am grateful!  I had to whittle out a little to have it fit here.

3 comments:

  1. my laundry pile is always a challange too..  I have 4 children lol.

    I have seen this fwd e-mail before.  It is a good one for sure.

    Much Love,
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awesome story. I like your journal. It is very inspiring. I am a Christian mom also. Read mine at: http://journals.aol.com/beckieramos/BeckiesBrightBeginnings
    God bless, Beckie

    ReplyDelete
  3. Barbara, thanks for the link to your journal!  Yes, I guess I am a redneck, but don't tell anybody, I'm doing a pretty good job of keeping it a secret so far!  Thanks for this beautiful story.  I have never really regarded pennies as having much value and many times if I sweep one up into my dust pan I just toss it with the dirt.  I will never think so little of them again!  I've enjoyed your journal so far and will put it in my alerts.  I too am a born-again believer and I recently felt led to write a Bible study for teen girls and their moms.  I have been busy with that and am enjoying it so much!  Anyway, check in with me often, I write everyday.
    .:Barbara:.         p.s.  check out my other journal too: http://journals.aol.com/stronghands63/AHandfulofCheez-itsandaHotCupofJ/

    ReplyDelete

So glad you stopped by! Come 'round any time. ~ Barbara

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