[Zacs Mom]

 
 

We've all heard the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk.

Some say found pennies bring good luck.

I'm certainly old enough to remember everyone wearing 'penny loafers'  ~

the shoes specifically designed with a little compartment so you could
carry a good luck penny right on the top of each shoe.
 
 
 

I also remember the taunt often sung out by children when
one of their pals got excited over finding a penny:
 
 

 
 
 

Of course, when I was a kid, finding a penny pretty much did make you rich ~
that shiny little penny bought a really nice candy treat at the little corner
Mom & Pop store.  So, as a kid,  whenever I heard that silly little verse sung
I suspected it was sung more out of envy than anything else.
 
 

 
 
 
 

I've always like to think of a found penny as a message from my guardian angel.
When I see a penny on the ground it is a reminder from my angel to have faith and
to know she is nearby ~ to stop worrying and start counting my blessings.

So, whenever my eye catches sight of a penny laying on the ground,
I always pause for a moment to consider my faith, to think about what
is troubling me at that moment and to consciously remember what a gift life is.

The way I see it, we are each given a certain amount of time and energy to spend in
this life and it is up to each of us to decide just how we want to spend our time and
energy. Conscious of it or not, that is exactly what we are all doing each and every
moment of each and every day ~ spending our allotted time and energy.
 

I've come to realize that, like it or not, we have very little control over anything in
this world. That, while our actions may 'influence' outcomes,
it is delusional to believe we 'control' them.
 

When born in a free nation
people are giving the opportunity to receive one of God's greatest blessings ~
'free will' or control over how they spend their life's allotted time and energy.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

I recently heard the follow story which touched my heart
and made me want to share it with others.
 

---

 
 

"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 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!" Arlene thought.  "What need does this man have for a single penny?
Why would he 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?" she wondered.
 

"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..."
 
 

 

 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
  Thank you all for "spending" some of your time and energy in sending prayers and good thoughts my way!!

And thank you all for "spending" some of your time with me here today!

[Zacs Mom]

"Just to keep you posted" ping

[Zacs Mom]

OOPS! I forgot to include the link to Sinatra sing "Pennies From Heaven" .... here it is:

"Pennies From Heaven"
(The song will open on a seperate page)

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Continuing my prayers

[El Gran Salseron]

Prayers for someone a lot more courageous than I. I would be a basket case and would not be able to even think about computers.

[Awestruck]

Don't worry about keeping us posted.. you worry about keeping YOU happy and strong! Sending many hugs, much love, prayers, and best wishes for healing and strength! You are in my thoughts every day, especially when I encounter what seems like a difficult situation, I count my blessings instead and pray for you.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

May you find the guidance and grace you need during this time, and may the angels watch your step each point of the way, until you arrive exactly where God wants you to be.


You are and will be in my prayers.

[DrewsDad]

Thanks for the penny lesson. I always though my wife was silly for picking up pennies.

Still prayin' for ya.

God is still in control.

[TASMANIANRED]

The longest 1st comment ever... Hugs.

Prayers offered.

Get well soon, we need you.

[beachn4fun]

Continued prayers. Just a thought.....could it be sarcoidosis? I found info here.

[potlatch]

What a lovely post ZM! I enjoyed this so much because I always stop to pick up a penny, believing in the notion that they are 'signs from above'.

I hope you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers every day. I haven't wanted to 'bother' you with Freepmail so post my feelings here.

What a wonder you are to post beaustiful messages to us during your illness!

[carlr]

That is a wonderful testimony toward your faith.
Not just the words themselves but the fact that you are trusting God now and keeping Him first in your life.

Perhaps the Lord is using this time for that purpose and I pray He will restore you to health when that work is done.

[Coop]

Thanks for the update, and I'll keep sending cyberhugs and prayers your way.

[TXBubba]

Prayers for you still going up.

[GreenHornet]

Continued prayers are offered for you this evening.

[WV Mountain Mama]

Prayers for your (and your husband's) strength, courage and comfort and prayers for wisdom for your doctors.

What a nice story about the pennies. In God we trust, indeed!! What an awesome God we have!

[retrokitten]

I am so sorry you are going through this. Prayers said for you and your family. I just have to say though, your beautiful soul just emanates from your posts. Here you are facing very scary times and you post things on each thread to inspire US! You are a blessing.

[jennyjenny]

Thanks for the update, ZM. Continued prayers for strength and comfort (and quick, accurate answers) for you and your family.

Ya know, a couple of years ago I was having some medical procedures done that had me pretty scared. The morning of one of my procedures, I woke up to a rabbit's foot at the side of my bed that one of my cats brought me.Yep...just the foot. After letting out a blood curdling scream, I decided it was his way of bringing me luck. Okay, so it's not quite the same as a shiny penny story, but I did get the all clear, lol.

[ntnychik]

There you go again, giving us so much when we came here to give something to you! I just found a shiny penny yesterday. Usually I leave them for a child to find, but I picked that one up. It made me smile. Now I know to look for the inscription "In God We Trust". I won't miss it again.

I'm glad for the update; I've been thinking of you all weekend. You've already won the first battle with this illness. You're not letting it get you down. Keep that positive attitude and faith in God as you face this challenge. We're here for you with our prayers, love and good wishes.

[Rte66]

Triple TX prayers for you!

[syriacus]

More prayers for your recovery and that you continue to strongly feel God's presence and our support as you deal with the medical community. God can work miracles in many ways and often uses "matter" as He accomplishes the healing.

Mark 6:56 -- And whithersoever HE entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought HIM that they might touch if it were but the border of HIS garment: and as many as touched HIM were made whole

Acts 19:11-12 -- And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them,...

Acts 5:15 -- Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

John 9:11 -- He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see."