The Penny Perspective

I spotted a copper gleam beneath the measuring cups when I opened my kitchen drawer this morning, a quiet penny just waiting to be found. I plucked it from the clutter of utensils and dropped it in the canning jar that sits on the small bookshelf near the kitchen table. “Thank you for the aroma of hot coffee just waiting to fill my cup.”

Another penny winked at me moments later as I dug through the book basket in search of my misplaced Bible study. I rubbed the smooth copper coin between my fingers and glanced out the window. Frozen dew drops danced in the pink hues of morning.  “Thank you for frosty soccer balls on the lawn and the healthy feet that kicked them across the yard yesterday.”

This hunt for wonder in the ordinary moments of today is life-changing. And life-giving. (See Friday’s Post: The Search for Wonder), Five hundred pennies strewn through our home have sparked countless gifts of praise. Five dollars packaged in humble copper coins have opened our eyes to the immeasurable riches of Heaven.

“I’m thankful for food to eat,” Lizzy said with a laugh as she pulled a penny from the fridge yesterday during her hunt for snack food.

“I’m thankful for March Madness,” Luke rejoiced as he plucked a penny from its hiding spot near the television.

“I’m thankful for diapers,” Hannah declared with a giggle as she spied a copper sparkle in the diaper basket, “And for babies who wear them!” she added and plopped a kiss on her baby sister’s sticky-haired head.

“I’m thankful for potties!” Josh yelled from the bathroom as he spied the gleam beneath the extra roll of toilet paper. “Because some kids don’t even have potties,” he solemnly remembered.
And so, from this simple hunt for wonder we are learning the truth of Annie Dillard’s wise words in A Pilgrim at Tinker Creek:

The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But-and this is the point- who gets excited by a mere penny?…If you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then since the world is in fact planted in pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days.

The kids are waking. Another penny-studded day of Spring Break awaits. I’ll be back next week when a few of my wonder-hunters return to school. Until then, may you discover wonder right where you are– gleams of glory cast generously from Heaven’s hand.

The Overflow: …Stop and consider God’s wonders. -Job 37:14