Saturday, March 31, 2007

The Penny.

Post 179 - - - - - - Saturday, 31st March, 2007.

Howdy Folks ~~ I hope all is well with you and you all have a wonderful weekend.
It is Saturday night here, so half of the Australian weekend is over, but we still have
Sunday. It has been quiet here and it won't be long before I will be looking for some
warmer clothes. Have had a cardigan on for a couple of days, but no heater - - yet !!

This story called "The Penny" was sent by my good friend Raggedy. Thank you.

You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck,
gifts from the angels. 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 husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous
about the weekend.

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 she was enjoying herself immensly !

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 at 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 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 still 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 I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few
months, but then pennies are plentiful ! And God is patient.
Have a blessed day !!

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen :
1 cross + 3 nails = 4given.
That's the whole gospel message simply stated.
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The following was sent to me by my good friend Robyn. Thank you.

1. Triangular sandwiches taste better than square ones.

2. At the end of every party there is always a girl crying.

3. One of the most awkward things that can happen in a pub is when your
pint-to-toilet cycle gets synchronised with a complete stranger.

4. You're never quite sure whether it is OK to eat green crisps.

5. Everyone who grew up in the 80's has entered the digits 55378008 into a
calculator.

6. Reading when you're drunk is horrible.

7. Sharpening a pencil with a knife makes you feel really manly.

8. You're never quite sure whether it's against the law or not to have a fire in
your back garden.

10. Nobody ever dares to make a cup-a-soup in a bowl.

11. You never know where to look when eating a banana.

12. It's impossible to describe the smell of a wet cat.

13. Prodding a fire with a stick makes you feel manly.

14. Rummaging in an overgrown garden will always turn up a bouncy ball.

15. You always feel a bit scared when stroking horses.

16. Everyone remembers the day a dog ran into your school.

17. The most embarrassing thing you can do as a schooldhild is to call your
teacher mum or dad.

18. The smaller the monkey the more it looks like it would kill you at the
first given opportunity.

19. Some days you see lots of people on crutches.

20. Every bloke has at some stage while taking a pee, flushed half way through
and then raced against the flush.

21. Old women with mobile phones look wrong.

22. It's impossible to look cool whilst picking up a Frisbee.

23. Driving through a tunnel makes you feel excited.

24. You never ever run out of salt.

25. Old ladies can eat more than you think.

26. You can't respect a man who carries a dog.

27. There's no panic like the panic you momentarily feel when you've got
your hand or your head stuck in something.

28. No one knows the origins of their metal coat hangers.

29. Despite constant warning, you have never met anyone who has had their
arm broken by a swan.

30. The most painful household incident is wearing socks and stepping on an
upturned plug.

31. People who don't drive slam car doors too hard.

32. You've turned into your Dad the day you put aside a thin piece of wood
specifically to stir paint with.

33. Everyone had an uncle who tried to steal their nose.

34. Bricks are horrible to carry.

35. In every plate of chips there is a bad chip.

36. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting
it in a fruit salad !!!
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A couple of kid's replies. - - - -

Melanie (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was. Granny replies she was
so old she didn't remember any more. Melanie said, "If you don't remember,
you must look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to six."

Steven (age 3) hugged and kissed his mother good night. "I love you so much
that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window."


Brittany
(age 4) had an earache and wanted a pain killer. She tried in vain to
take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a
childproof cap and she'd have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the
little girl asked : " How does it know it's me ?"

D.J. (age 4) stepped on the bathroom scales and asked: "How much do I cost?
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A few more that my good friend, Ann sent some time ago. Thanks Ann.

What do you call a fish with no eyes ? - - - Fsh.

How do you get holy water? - - - You boil the hell out of it.

How do you catch a unique rabbit ? - - - Unique up on it.

How do you catch a tame rabbit ? - - - Tame way. Unique up on it.

How do crazy people go through the forest ? - - They take the Psycho Path.

What do you call Santa's helpers ? - - - Subordinate Clauses.

What do fish say when they hit the wall ? -- - - - DAM !!!

What do you get from a pampered cow ? - - - - Spoiled milk.
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Characters live to be noticed People with character notice how they live.
- - - - Nancy Moser.

The nice thing about egotists is they don't talk about other people.
- - - - Lucille S. Harper.

My personal hobbies are reading, listening to music and silence.
- - - Edith Sitwell.

Without music, life is a journey through a desert. - - -Pat Conroy.

Bye for now folks, Take care and have a wonderful weekend.Merle.

Post 179 - - - - - Saturday, 31 st March, 2007.
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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your review at Critique My Blog.

~Sandy G.

Tammy said...

I enjoyed this post. I've always loved the "penny" story!

HORIZON said...

It's now Sat. night here Merle- you'll be fast asleep- :) x There's a kindly kiss for you in your sleep! lol
My friend's wee girls (age 7yrs) were passing by today. I asked them how old they thought l was-lol. l said, ' Now l hope your not going to guess 50 because that's just too close!' They laughed and said, 'we really knew you were around 50'- and meant it! arghhh! lol My friend and l just laughed- oh goodness l wish l were seven again.
Much love and.. there l've just tucked you back in.
xx

Raggedy said...

G'day Merle,
Is your heater broken? If so I hope you get it fixed soon. We are still running the heat here.
I don't know why but "Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad !!!" just cracked me up.
Great post!
Thanks for the link.
Huggles and Love,
Raggedy

audrey` said...

Yes!
In God we trust!

Have a very blessed weekend, my friend Merle.

(((HUGS)))

Lee said...

Great post as usual, Merle. It's getting a bit cooler up here too, which is great! I love it!

I hope you have a lovely relaxing Sunday...in readiness of the week ahead. Take good care. :)

Jim said...

Hi Merle. I'm glad your hot weather is going away. I hope the fires do also.
I liked your list and the penney story. Thanks.
..