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Gail was upset over the girl her son was dating. She knew that she was all wrong for him. Eric refused to listen to her words of wisdom, which created more tension in their relationship. "I'd pleaded, argued, reasoned, even written notes," Gail claims but nothing would change her son's mind.
One day still frustrated and upset over the situation she spotted a coffee cup in the kitchen counter. She remembered reading an article several years ago about a "penny cup." She recalled that a woman was impatient for an answer to prayer and decided that every penny she found she would place in the cup. The pennies served to remind her that God was listening to her prayers and that in God's time they would be answered.
Gail decided that that was what she would do. She found a mug that Eric had given her when he was in the third grade. She continued praying and began searching for pennies. A strange thing happened as she collected pennies, she began appreciating her son's girlfriend. She discovered that she was a good person and truly loved Eric. The more she prayed the more she realized that this girl was bringing out the good qualities in her son.
As she dropped another penny into the cup she realized that God had indeed answered her prayer.
Jesus told of two individuals who went to pray at the temple. One was a religious leader who thought he was secure in his faith. He made the fatal error of thinking that because of his position that he was better than everyone else. As he prayed he listed his accomplishments, "I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income" as if God did not know what was in his heart. In contrast was a person who knew he was in need of God's grace. He prayed a simple, heart felt prayer, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" Jesus asked which person was made right with God. Obviously the person who knew he needed God and not the one who looked down on others. Jesus concludes with, "for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."
Tim S.
One day still frustrated and upset over the situation she spotted a coffee cup in the kitchen counter. She remembered reading an article several years ago about a "penny cup." She recalled that a woman was impatient for an answer to prayer and decided that every penny she found she would place in the cup. The pennies served to remind her that God was listening to her prayers and that in God's time they would be answered.
Gail decided that that was what she would do. She found a mug that Eric had given her when he was in the third grade. She continued praying and began searching for pennies. A strange thing happened as she collected pennies, she began appreciating her son's girlfriend. She discovered that she was a good person and truly loved Eric. The more she prayed the more she realized that this girl was bringing out the good qualities in her son.
As she dropped another penny into the cup she realized that God had indeed answered her prayer.
Jesus told of two individuals who went to pray at the temple. One was a religious leader who thought he was secure in his faith. He made the fatal error of thinking that because of his position that he was better than everyone else. As he prayed he listed his accomplishments, "I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income" as if God did not know what was in his heart. In contrast was a person who knew he was in need of God's grace. He prayed a simple, heart felt prayer, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" Jesus asked which person was made right with God. Obviously the person who knew he needed God and not the one who looked down on others. Jesus concludes with, "for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."
Tim S.
