Pennies On My Path

When I was about 13 I was walking along a beach one day with my dad.  We were wandering our way down the beach looking for treasures–pretty rocks and shells. I lead the way, and Dad followed a few feet behind.

Midway into our walk I found a penny in the sand.  I picked it up, and held it up so Dad could see it.  A  minute or so later I found another penny.  And then another.  Pretty soon I was finding a penny about every 10 feet.

I started laughing. Why were there so many pennies on this particular beach? And how come I was the only one finding them?  Dad didn’t find any.  Where do you think they all came from, I asked.  With a smile on his face, he shrugged.

Pretty soon I wasn’t looking for pretty rocks and shells anymore.  I was looking for pennies.  And with each one I found I would turn back and hold it up in the air showing my dad.  See? Another one!

With each new discovery Dad would laugh, and share in my surprise.  I teased him that it was a good thing I was along on this walk since I was finding so much money.  He agreed, and I darted on ahead eager to look for more pennies.

It wasn’t until years later that I found out it was Dad who put those pennies on the beach that day.  As I walked along searching for treasures, he walked behind me quietly tossing pennies on the path for me to find.  With each discovery he would share in my surprise and delight.  And those that I walked by without discovering he would pick up as he strolled by so that he could toss them again.  And again.  Until I found them.

It’s one of the images from childhood that has stayed with me.  It became one of the images that frames my understanding of life,  and of God.

As I walk through life, wandering along looking for treasures, God is always with me, tossing pennies on my path.  When I find the pennies, He shares in my surprise and delight.  And those that I walk by without discovering He picks up as He strolls by so He can toss them in front of me again.  And again.

The following is a collection of a few of the pennies I have found, so far.