The Miraculous Penny

An old miracle penny story resurfaced as Lilia Grundy attended adoration, shedding light on new year's goals and aspirations.

A Penny too Short

Just as I was about to be rolled away to the operating room, my father gave my hand a last squeeze and asked, “Did I ever tell you about my miracle penny story?”

“No” I replied, “I don’t think so.”

He proceeded to share that when he was a young boy, he desired to go to the movies with his brother who promised he would take him, if only he could pay for his bus fare. A total of 11 cents round-trip was needed. His family was poor, so it wasn’t simply a matter of asking his parents for the money. Somehow, somewhere, he would have to come up with his share.

My father decided to pray and then set off to search among the streets of Tijuana, Mexico looking for change. Each time he found a coin, he leaped with joy.

Alas, his brother had announced he was off to see the film showing and my father eagerly counted all his change. Ten cents: he was one penny too short.

“What did you do?” I asked my father. Surely, his brother had contributed the needed last cent.

“Nothing,” he answered.

“What?” I replied in shock. “That’s it? You didn’t get to watch the movie?”

My father turned his head side to side indicating no. I was a bit defeated. No happy ending, I thought, and here I was, about to go into surgery during a time in my life when everything seemed to be falling apart.

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Mini Miracles

As 2022 was coming to a close, I took time to attend Adoration and reflect on spiritual goals for the new year. A few things happened:

First, I thanked God for all the blessings I had received during the year. In gratitude, I felt peace and a sense for more needed kindness towards myself.
Second, a wave of anxiety tried to overtake me (all my “to-do” list items flashed before me) but then I saw an image of myself as a little girl. I felt it was God’s way of reminding me how much I am loved no matter how much I accomplish.
Third, I received the idea that I should award myself more mercy and grace for completing everything I do—even if it’s not exactly how I envisioned the final goal to be.

Click to tweet:
I want to recognize all the miracles taking place in my life every day. #catholicmom

My father’s story resurfaced. I thought about him, happily collecting his change and having faith that his prayers were being answered. He didn’t collect the full eleven cents that day, but he did mysteriously find 10 cents—and that was his miracle. He wasn’t disappointed that the timing didn’t work out. Instead, he trusted that collecting the money he found was a gift and that something good would come out of it.

My new year aspirations were coming together under a theme of “mini miracles.” As in, I want to recognize and “see” all the miracles taking place in my life every day. I want to celebrate all the small wins and recognize all the milestones along the way. I won’t be as hard on myself because I’ll keep the faith—and treasure every miracle, one penny at a time.

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