We were standing in the
hallway as the housekeeper was assuring us our hotel room was clean. She looked
down, picked up a dime, and smiled. “Do you know what this means?” We told her
we did not, and she said, “You should look it up.” I didn’t look up the meaning
of ‘finding a dime’ then because, well, I don’t much believe in those theories.
About a month later we were
dining outdoors at a restaurant with some dear friends. Eventually the conversation
turned to our summer travels and I told my ‘finding a dime story.’ I said that I don’t put stock in finding meaning
in things like finding coins, seeing a cardinal in the backyard, things like
that. Our friend said, ‘I do. Every time I see a cardinal in the backyard I
believe it is a visit from my Mom. It means a lot to me.’ ‘Hm. I replied. Well, I believe that God does
speak to us in different ways, and that there are ‘thin places’ through which
we could get spiritual insights. But, I
don’t know that God would use cardinals and coins to reach us.’ My wife shot me a look that said something
like, ‘OK Mr. Grump. Lighten up’ as she explained her own belief in close encounters
that happen through thin places.
I was feeling a little guilty
the rest of the meal for having rained on the parade. I mean, who am I to tell other
people they shouldn’t believe in cardinals and coins as notes from loved ones,
messages from angels passed through thin places?
As we left the table
following dinner I realized I left my jacket on the chair so I walked back alone
to our table. As I reached down to pick up my jacket, there, sitting on the ground next to where our friend was seated,
I saw it. I bent down and picked up that thin dime. I told the others as I caught up to them, and
we all paused as I looked up and read to everyone the meaning of finding a
dime. They all smiled at me with a look
that said, ‘See Mr. Grump. Open your eyes.’
Alright, God. Message
received. Thin dimes. Thin places. Heaven
is closer than we know.
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