Here's a great story that was shared most recently at our liturgies:"The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the 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 the 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 nothinbg 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 not stand it any 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 his face as he reached into his pocket 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, keep reading."
"In God we trust?" "Yes."
"And?"
"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on the 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 moiment. 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 went shoping 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. I got 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."
Maybe God is offering you opportunites to trust in him. Maybe He is trying to start a conversation with you. Trust Him. Listen to Him. Now, really listen to Him.
