SmittyOne Loc: California

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.

I always pick up pennies, but now I will look at them with a message in mind.

RPbySC Loc: Atlanta, GA

This is really good advice. I think I won't pass by coins on the ground anymore, either. I always need a reminder of God's faithfulness.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Thanks Smitty....You're numero uno!!!

alby Loc: very eastern pa.

Thank you

TrainNut Loc: Ridin' the rails

SmittyOne That is a great story. I have picked up money and always thanked God but never thought of it that way.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I only pick up the one that are "heads up". I hear the "tails up" are bad luck. That is, unless you put it in your shoe until midnight of the day you found it.
--Bob

Dave Chinn

I always pick up coins and sometimes dollars. I have never looked at it in this term and I'm sure I will have another out look on finding/picking up coins now. I to have heard it brings good luck to pick up a heads up penny but not the bad luck theory. It doesn't matter to me if its heads up or down. As far as luck??? I'm still here.... that is enough luck for me. 'Keep on shootin' !!!!! Thanks for sharing that story.

TrainNut Loc: Ridin' the rails

I did the math. If you pick up 3 pennies a day that is $10.95 a year And it is good exercise picking them up. ;-)
I found a $100 dollar bill in a parking lot at a store. I went back in and told them that I found money in the parking lot and gave them my name and phone number. No one ever claimed it.

Dave Chinn

Good for you on the $100 dollar bill. I wish it were you that found that $50 bill I lost several years ago. I went back to inquire about it and of course no one knew any thing about it. Oh, I was so sick for a few hours. I'm sure I have found enough since then to make up for it. And just maybe the finder needed it more than me.

TrainNut Loc: Ridin' the rails

That is always the way I look at it if I lose something.
Even the "things" that have been stolen from me I feel it is only "things" and I have a lot more important people in my life.
I have 5 children so I am a multi millionaire.

norvik1943 Loc: Jenks, OK and Domazan, France

I stop too to pick up a penny (or any coin/bill), but always have the feeling I'm going to be run down by a car, or shopping cart, when I do so. I look in all directions first.

A story about the penny I read recently is that if you find a penny face down, turn it over, leave it where you found and a new soul/angel can enter heaven. And the next person will enjoy good luck.

TrainNut Loc: Ridin' the rails

And if you break a candy bar in half all the calories fall out. :roll:

norvik1943 Loc: Jenks, OK and Domazan, France

Not so, just the nuts :lol:

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I once found $10.00 at the SD zoo

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

Thanks for the reminder.