My cup runneth over.
Well, technically, it’s a jar and I’ve been depositing money in it for over three years hoping to accumulate enough capital to purchase a book.
My friend, Leslie published Penny Perspectives: Let Go of Happily Ever After & Invest in Happily Ever NOW in October of 2012. In it, she encourages readers to take notice of the small, often overlooked, things in life because they have the power to help us achieve our greatest dreams.
I thought it would be fun to follow her lead. Instead of swiping my debit card to make the purchase, I decided to gather enough found money to cover the price of her book.
I stashed the jar safely above the reach of small, sticky fingers and until last week didn’t pay much attention to it. Every once in a while I would make a deposit and close the cabinet without another thought.
But on Thursday, as I dropped in a gnarled penny I picked up during my morning walk, coins spilled off the mound I hadn’t noticed growing from the top of the jar. It was literally overflowing.
Since the jar was too full to contain any more currency, I decided to count.
As I did, I uncovered a deeper truth.
Each coin was more than just a means to an end.
One single penny was all it took for my cup to runneth over.
The truth is I reached my goal a long time ago. When I finally tallied, I the jar contained nearly enough to buy two books. I never realized how much I had because I didn’t take the time to count what was already in the jar…. I just kept filling it.
I was so focused on reaching the final amount, I didn’t think much of each small piece that made up the whole. Every time I picked up a penny, nickel or dime, was the gift. I missed the joy in the small gains because I was too concerned with the big pay-off.
What other blessings go unnoticed while I focus on the big picture… Having the perfect marriage. Raising responsible adults. Moving My Messy Desk into a store front. Signing a book contract with a major publishing agency.
If I’m always looking for more, I might miss how much I already have… A single three letter text from my husband halfway around the world that lets me know he is thinking of me. One small snuggle from a boy who may think he is too old tomorrow. Fellowship with the women who already gather around my craft table. One person encouraged by my words.
If we wait to give thanks until we reach our big goals in life, instead of praising God every step of the way, we are missing the joy of the journey. Those small moments are what fill our lives. I may never find any $100 bills lying on the ground. Chances are, you won’t either. But we all have “penny moments.” Small victories and blessings that might go overlooked while we search and wait and work for a windfall.
Don’t wait for your cup to run over before you realize just how much you already have.
Count your pennies. Today. Right now. And praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
This Thanksgiving I plan to take a look around and notice all I have, to count my blessings. Not just the big things that seem to mark my year, but all the little ones that make up my days.
I shipped off that found money (just over four pounds) to my friend and she is sending me two books - one for me and another for me to give away to one of you. Enter to win your copy by subscribing to my blog, commenting, or sharing this post. Be sure to tag me so I can enter you in the drawing which will be held November 30th.
Leslie Stein is a speaker, trainer and coach focused on helping individuals and organizations get to peak performance. She specializes in speaking about leadership lessons from everyday experiences in a dynamic, engaging way. Find out more about her at www.lesliestein.com and don’t miss her inspiring TEDx talk.
If you don’t win the drawing, be sure to order your own copy of her book Penny Perspectives! Or maybe start your own jar…
Dear Father, Thank you so much for all you have blessed me with. I know that every good thing comes from above and that you supply my every need. Help me to see all you have given me, both great and small, as loving gifts from you, not just at Thanksgiving, but every single day. Amen.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19
For more encouragement please join the discussion on these fabulous blog link ups - Suzanne Eller, Thought Provoking Thursday, Susan B. Mead, Faith Filled Friday, Faith and Fellowship Friday, Grace and Truth Friday, Still Saturday, Good Morning Monday, Soul Survival, Monday Musings, Rah Rah Link Up, Tell His Story, Woman to Woman Wednesday, Women With Intention Wednesday.
What a great lesson today, Liz. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with simple, precious moments that fill your cup to overflowing! Blessings, friend:)
And the same to you, sweet friend! Happy Thanksgiving!
Liz, this is such a beautiful message! I love your heart for writing this! I am guilty of focusing on the big picture instead of what GOD has already blessed me with. Thank you so very much for sharing such an awesome word, beautiful friend! GOD bless you, Love!
God bless you, Tai. He is so, SO good - so many blessing held in small packages! I pray I won’t miss any of them!
Amanda C. says
My blessings overflow because both of you wonderful ladies are not only in my life but some of the dearest to my heart. Love you, my friend. Thank you for being a blessing to me!
Back at you, Amanda! I’ve bee positively giddy over this post for almost a week… Just so fun to see how God brought all this full circle!
What a great perspective. And so true that we can focus on the *out there* and overlook the *right here.* Thank you Liz!
Yes! Thanks for stopping by, Lisa!
Jessica says
Wow, thank you for sharing that- I felt like you wrote it just for me. I’m rootin’ for ya on getting a book contract for a major publishing agency- just know that you sharing your writing now is making a difference. Have you gone or thought of going to She Speaks? Some attendees this past conference got to interview with publishers. Happy Thanksgiving, Jess
Thanks, Jessica. I did attend SheSpeaks this past July and met with 2 publishers. One didn’t like my book concept and the other took my proposal, but told me my “reach” was big enough. So, I’m gonna keep writing and let God work out the rest! Are you a Compel member?
Amen. Blessed be the name of the Lord for all His gifts to us, especially Jesus…xo
Yes, especially Jesus! Love you!!
Liz, how powerful that illustrates His truth. Count every blessing even the smallest ones. For they add up and create the story. Yet they are the journey. Love it.
Yes, our life is lived in the small moments! Thanks for stopping by, Susan!
Karen Roberts says
Your emails always arrive and give me the help I need at that time! You are a gift from God that I was lucky to find. Thank you and may God bless.
Karen, I’m so glad you find encouragement in the lessons God is teaching me! God bless you!
Karen! Congratulations!! You are the big winner!!
Oh, how I love this post! What a wonderful image of how our blessings pile up, often unnoticed. I am often so focused on a goal that I miss the little blessings that fill each day.
Yup, happens to me all the time, too!
I love the way you learned this lesson -and shared it. Blessed me today. Thank you!!
Such a good lesson this time of the year!
Life is really made up of “the little things,” isn’t it? It’s all too easy to focus on the little annoyances instead of all those little blessings. Thanks for the reminder to focus on what we should. Thanks, too, for linking up at Mondays @ Soul Survival. Blessings!
Thanks, Donna! Glad you stopped by!
I love this, life is so much more fulfilling when we take the precious time and energy to invest in what we care about one penny at a time.