IN GOD WE TRUST

IN GOD WE TRUST

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spendthe weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervousabout the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on thewater-way, and cars costing more than her house. The first day and eveningwent well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how thevery wealthy live.The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to thefinest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity toindulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herselfimmensely. As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurantthat 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 theground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a fewcigarette butts.Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny. He held it upand 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 heeven take the time to stop and pick it up? Throughout dinner, the entirescene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She causallymentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if thepenny he had found had been of some value.A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for thepenny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! Whatwas the point of this? "Look at it." He said. "Read what it says." She readthe words "United States of America." "No, not that; read further." "Onecent?""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 thatinscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we neverseem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me totrust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to seeif my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response toGod; that I do trഉസ്റ്റ് in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as ifit 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 stoppedand picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in mymind about things I can not change. I read the words, "In God We Trഉസ്റ്റ് ," andhad to smile. Yes, God, I get the message. It seems that I have been findingan inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, penniesare plentiful!And God is patient...