Penny People

I have a big glass jar next to the bed where I toss my loose change at the end of the day. I like the “chinking” sound of ricocheting coins against the glass. However, the more cashless our society becomes, finding spare change is harder to come by. That hasn’t stopped me from keeping my eyes peeled for what’s just underfoot.

Not long ago I saw a young guy coming out of a Speedway store with soda and chips in hand. In his haste he burst through the door and tossed a handful of coins to the pavement. Before they’d stopped rolling in circles, he was in his car, pulling away with music blaring. Pocket change isn’t what it used to be, at least for some.

I picked up two quarters, a dime, a nickel, and three pennies totaling 68 cents. I was about to leave the pennies but remembered the “chinking” sound of my jar and picked them up anyway. Nobody wants pennies anymore, they’re seemingly good for nothing.

It’s crazy what we throw away.

I know a woman with a beautifully compassionate heart, but many wouldn’t know it. She is often unseen by those around her. She has some physical and social challenges that might feel awkward to some. I guess that’s why they keep their distance. Over the years I’ve seen her on the relational edges of several churches I’ve attended. Always on the outside looking in. She’s had a difficult life, confusing and lonely, yet Jesus saw what others didn’t and a simple faith was ignited. 

I noticed her again one Sunday morning and felt the Lord speak to me:  “She’s one of my penny people.” I instantly understood. She represented the types of people who see themselves—or whom others see—as valueless, not worth the effort, as “spare change.” 

“I like spare change, Rus,” the Lord said. “I want you to like them, too.”

I decided to engage where I hadn’t before. Our first interaction was a bit labored and confusing; she spoke quickly, disjointedly. She had lots of tangents and questions, and it took concentration to unpack them all. But, in time, she calmed, spoke more slowly, and began to look me in the eye. A divine conversation ensued for the next half hour though I hardly said a word. An uninspected life came pouring out. She hadn’t had the benefit of a loving and understanding home; there was no religious instruction, and from a very young age she was left largely on her own to make a way in the world.

The part that touched me the most was how embracing she was of Jesus from the very first moment she heard the gospel in her twenties. “He’s my best friend, we talk all the time,” she said. “Thank you so much, rarely has anybody given me this much time to talk. There have been entire weeks where I haven’t had a meaningful conversation with anyone, though I work and am around people all the time.”

“Penny people are everywhere, Rus,” I sensed God say again.

I wanted the eyes of my heart to be like Jesus in this. To have the heart of the Lord is truly enough for every situation. (Matt. 10:25) He calls penny people “redeemed” and “sought after” and “included.” He’s a Good Shepherd, leaving the ninety-nine to search for the one. He is the Restorer, the Repairer, the Maker of new things.

Redeemed. Sought after. Included.

I know a pastor who moved to Cincinnati years ago to plant a new kind of church. The call of God was clear, but he hadn’t anticipated how difficult it would be. One Monday morning he was particularly discouraged and announced to his wife, “I’m quitting the ministry! I really mean it this time.” Having heard this before, she encouraged him to go for a drive to think things clear. He drove around for about an hour, complaining to the Lord the whole time. Upon pulling into a fast-food drive thru, he sensed the Lord speaking to him. “If you open your door, I’ll give you a gift.” Feeling silly, he opened his door only to see a penny, scuffed and tarnished, on the asphalt.  As he reached for the coin, the Lord said, “Many people in this city feel like this discarded penny. I’ve given you the gift of gathering people who seem valueless. If you open your heart, I will bring you more pennies than you know what to do with.”

The heart of the Master was imparted, and a perspective shifted. Going forward for Steve Sjogren meant looking for pennies, and he would plant the Cincinnati Vineyard Church, which grew exponentially. The slogan has always been, “Come as you are, you’ll be loved.” Penny people were everywhere, and I was honored to be among them and serve in that church for a season.

In the last couple of years, I’ve been intentionally looking for penny people. You know what I’ve noticed? You don’t have to look far. We tend to find what we look for, both stray coins and penny people. Truth is, we’re all “penny people.” We’re all in need of being found, of being heard. We’re all in need of being made new.

Next time you find a coin on the ground, pick it up, and look around. If you see a penny person, what will you do? Perhaps start by lending an ear. Jesus is collecting spare change and placing them inside himself. There’s a “cashing in” day coming, and until then, let’s collect.

Prophetic Prayer & Communion
March 19th
Northstar Church
7-9pm

Have you ever longed for God to speak to you? This is an evening where we take time to pray over one another & hear what God has to say. Come join us in March at Northstar Church for prophetic prayer! Sunday, March 219th, 7-9pm.

Everyday Kingdom Conference
March 10-11
Northstar Church
Stay tuned for more info!

Rus will be in Israel March 1-10! Pray for safe travels and that the Lord would speak to him and the entire team going with him.