PENNIES FROM HEAVEN

There's an interesting little poem, written by Charles Marshburn, that showcases something many bereaved people are familiar with…

PENNIES FROM HEAVEN

 I found a penny today 

Just laying on the ground. 

But it's not just a penny, 

this little coin I've found. 

Found pennies come from heaven, 

That's what my Grandpa told me. 

He said Angels toss them down. 

Oh, how I loved that story. 

He said when an Angel misses you, 

They toss a penny down. 

Sometimes just to cheer you up, 

To make a smile out of your frown. 

So, don't pass by that penny, 

When you're feeling blue. It may be a penny from heaven, 

that an Angel's tossed to you.

So is that an Angel "tossing down" a penny…or one of our beloveds? I consider my children as close to being an Angel as is possible-having left this world at such an early age. I've always felt it was one of my transitioned beloveds, signaling to me that, "All is well" with them, and will be with me!

Last week I had an uncharacteristicly difficult day volunteering at the library bookstore. Feeling distressed, I started restocking a book cart, and I looked down... and right by my foot was a penny! How is it that these pennies "just show up"…when we could use a little boost?

God cares about the little things in our lives. I've met many people, who feel that God only cares about "the big stuff". How wrong they are! All over Scripture, God reveals Himself as Someone Who cares about ALL of our daily travails…and wants to HELP us...

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."     
(Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

I looked up "yoke" to find out more clearly what it is…here's a (unreferenced) definition…

YOKE: 

a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull.

Here is a photo of a yoke:

Clearly, Jesus is planning on helping us carry our burden-two animals are used with a yoke! He doesn't expect, nor desire for us to "go it alone" when undergoing trials.

God uses pennies, and sometimes "us" too, to let people know He is there…

At the library bookstore, with a customer today, I suddenly felt an urge to "promote" a book to her- that I had just selected seconds ago to be put on a display stand (which usually results in a quick selling). I showed her the lovely, purple book of poetry by Robert and Elizabeth Browning, and she carefully looked it over. Then she quietly told me that she'd lost two husbands through death. She and one husband had adored the poetry of Robert Browning; he often recited one of Browning's poems to her. And how this husband's gravestone, even has an excerpt of one of Browning's poems etched on it. She stared at the book. She was clearly touched as she bought the book,  then quietly left the bookstore.