My One-Cent Moment

By Sheryl

Sometimes, all it takes is one thing. One small occurrence that has a major impact. For me, it’s pennies. One penny, to be specific. I call it my one-cent moment. I can honestly say a penny solidified my faith. I know it sounds crazy, especially because I have been baptized, raised in faith and embrace an active belief in God. 

That is not to say my faith has always been easy. When introduced to a specific faith, especially when it was such an integral part of my upbringing, there comes a time when I need to apply it on a personal level. My journey includes all the twists and turns that accompany a road through decades. I have experienced loss, joy, sadness, elation, mistakes, dreams, violations, inspirations and a whole host of counter attacks and conversions. 

I never expected to reach a point in life where I only found meaning through my three children. I allowed heartbreak, resentment and stress overtake the foundations of what I already knew to be true. Circumstances can overpower triumph if we let them. I could not see light in the face of my sufferings. Many of you probably felt similar feelings in the wake of COVID-19.

The world as we know it changed. Each life, everyday practices, our modes for survival, now look different due to the pandemic. The impact will be lasting, even after a vaccine becomes available. It’s easy to focus on impact when these circumstances came seemingly out of nowhere. I mentioned the power of circumstances, which nearly drove me to throw faith away. If I couldn’t see how my faith was making a difference, then why should I focus energy in a place meant for good? There seemed to be no good coming out of my hardships. I merely felt a  weight on my shoulders, which became heavier after each day.

I wanted answers. I wanted a sign. I mocked God in prayer, with a challenge. If He wanted to keep me, then I wanted proof. I figured I was being smart, that I was outwitting any notion that the energy I was giving to my faith was even necessary. Give me a penny. That was my request. If you want me to believe in You over heartbreak, in my faith over secularism, then put a penny in the parking spot that represents my wishes. A penny would equal no question of faith, no penny would equal a choice of freedom from the cross, as the good person I was. 

I was attending a training that weekend, in the building located on the parking lot referenced. I had a positive experience occur in the recent past, related to the circumstances of my heartbreak, while sitting on the curb at the end of the designated parking space. As I challenged the Lord in my plea for proof, I slowly walked over to the spot. Within the parking spot, along the right side of the space, was a penny. I have a belief that pennies are from heaven. I began to notice that,  in the past, I often found pennies in my direct path, whenever I made a decision to stray from my original plan to get somewhere. 

I would find pennies in the craziest places. I even found one in the dark one time, from a glint off the headlight of a passing car. I never found pennies when I looked for one in my path. I simply happened upon them. I never found one when I tried to look. I never found one when I asked or wanted one. That is why my prayer was such a mock. The sign given was so clear. 

Did I need such a sign? At the time I did, yes. Does that mean I would choose to throw my faith away forever if I didn’t get the penny? I don’t think so, but I don’t know for sure. God gave me exactly what I needed. Now I’m able to offer immeasurably more than I was able to before. I’m thankful the sign was so clear. I couldn’t see past my own mire. 

I hope my story incites compassion over representation in how I handled my cross. I also wish for others to take faith in believing without seeing. At the very least, recognize the pennies from heaven that fall especially for you.