The Penny

All of us have seen him lying on the sidewalk or beside our cars on the pavement in the parking lot. He is such a lonely little feller. Very few of us will bend over and pick him up. Most of us hardly notice him. We hurry on past him not giving him a second thought. I understand; he's not worth much. The Penny, more of a nuisance than anything as he takes up space in our pockets or purses causing us to shuffle him around to find the nickel, the dime or a quarter. After all what can we buy with the insignificant, worthless penny?

There was a day, however,  when a single penny could buy something very amazing and extremely valuable. I rarely hear anyone offer the penny anymore for the priceless commodity that all of us have. “A penny for your thoughts”, someone would say to a friend, a boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse as they gazed off into space.

Profound ideas of great men like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell have blossomed into wonderful, useful inventions which have made life more simple and comfortable for us. Brilliant life changing thoughts from people like Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa, and Martin Luther King have contributed to a better quality of life for people all over the world. These well known innovators and humanitarians were not afraid to turn their thoughts and ideas into realities which have transformed lives for ages. All of us are capable of having thoughts that can change hundreds of lives for the better. Our actions are born out of our thoughts. For instance, positive thoughts may translate into an act that will motivate someone to not give up. Wholesome, beautiful thoughts can become a catalyst that will brighten the life of a person who is lost in a dark fog. The thoughts of men and women who were inspired by God’s Spirit have literally altered the wayward course of nations saving many from eternal destrustruction.

A penny for your thoughts my friend. What are you thinking about? The Apostle Paul gives us a few suggestions.

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK on these things.”

The next time you see a penny lying on the ground remember what it can buy. It can buy priceless life changing thoughts. Bend over and pick it up, and thank God for the good thoughts he puts in that mind of yours. Then go out and be a positive life changer!