More Precious Than A Coin
Hey Rigsters, I told y’all a story recently about turning in the deadlines for my next manuscript. I was in Fairhope when I struck that final key. Remember? Well, today’s story is about another interesting thing that happened on that trip, and the lesson I see in it.
My habit when I get to visit the beach is to get up super early in the morning and spend time walking and talking to Jesus as the sun peaks over the horizon and floods the scene with beautiful shades of pink and orange. Because I’m wanting to hear from Him, I avoid looking down for shells during these visits. I keep my eyes up and ask Father to direct my attention downward when He sees fit.
One morning as I was walking and praying, I felt my eyes drawn to the sand. When I looked down, I found a bronze coin. Not an interesting shell, which we’re all looking for, but a bronze coin! I tucked it in my short and kept moving.
Back at the condo I showed it to Joneal. Always the curious student, Joneal googled my coin while I was brewing coffee. Apparently, it was more than just a little find. Google said it was from the Virgin Islands and it was worth $399.00. I was excited about that discovery, but instead of rushing to cash it in, I chose to keep it and ponder on the find. Only, it didn’t work out that way. It has since become obvious that the coin has slipped from my hands to the next person down the line. The “how” is what I find interesting and what moves me to share.
Every Sunday morning, I give each of my hometown grands a handful of change to put in the offering plate as Phil and I are dropping in our tithes. Apparently, at some point since my beach find, I gave one of them the bronze coin! It’s gone, and that’s the only explanation that makes sense. I know. I know. I remember dropping reminding myself when I dropped it in my purse that I better secure it from the other coins so something like this wouldn’t happen. Myself can be a poor keeper of these mental notes. It didn’t happen, and the coin is long gone. Are you ahead of me? Are you wondering what possible lesson I can draw from this story? Humor me for another minute or so and I’ll explain.
The grands that deposited that coin in the offering plate were too young to recognize they were holding a different kind of coin that Sunday morning. They were simply following the adults and doing one of the many things we take part in as a family. One day they’ll understand that those tithes keep the church doors open, support missionaries, and care for people less fortunate than themselves. One day they’ll be old enough to differentiate between what is common in this life and what is costly, but right now, they’re simply doing what we do. I was reminded yet again of how important these early years are in their development, and how valuable are the little moments that can become so routine!
It was a good lesson, more precious than any bronze coin. And now, I’ve shared it with you. Think about it.
Hugs,
Shellie
