thoughts on the news of the day: pennies

hmmm…..

            That lowly coin, the penny, is in the news again.  While some protesters are paying bills with pennies, Florida farmers would be happy with just one red cent.   If Florida tomato pickers were paid just one penny more for each pound of tomatoes, it would make the difference between substandard living and an almost decent wage on which to raise their families.  Burger King has agreed to pay the penny but Trader Joe’s has not.

            It’s difficult to put ourselves in another’s place.  For Florida agricultural workers a penny makes all the difference in the world.  To most of us, that same penny is almost not worth picking up off the sidewalk.  It’s easy to say, “I don’t understand what all of the fuss is about” when we are not the ones who are suffering.  Not until we, ourselves have experienced the suffering of others do we truly understand their need.

            And its amazing how so little can sometimes mean so much.  I mean, would it be that much of a sacrifice for each of us to pay a penny more for a pound of tomatoes?  Probably not, in fact we probably wouldn’t even notice it. 

            Look around today.  There is bound to be some little something you can do that can make a huge difference is someone else’s world. It may not be miracle working but I bet it will be someone’s penny from heaven.

            hmmm…..