The Ballestero Blog

Just An Old Nickel

A distinguished and nice looking gentleman walked up to me in the church foyer after service yesterday. The last day of the Men’s Conference was over. I had watched him during the meetings. He sat on the front every day and entered into the worship service with all his heart. He had seemed to beam with pride as he watched his son lead the men in singing.

“I have something I want to show you!” He said after shaking my hand.

Reaching down into the front pocket of his suit pants, he pulled out some change. In his palm were two quarters, a dime, three pennies and a nickel. He placed the nickel in his other hand and returned the remaining change to his pocket.

“See this old nickel?” He asked while looking at me with tear filled eyes.

I looked down at the nickel again seeing nothing strange or spectacular about the coin. The date was not visible from my viewpoint, but I could tell it was an older coin and tarnished somewhat from exposure and wear.

“This is me!” The words came out while he struggled to keep his composure with tears streaming down his face. His neatly combed white hair making him look like a lawyer or senator.

“I picked this nickel up this morning out of the dirt. That’s where I was when God found me. I was in the dirt. I had no value in the dirt; I was of no value to anyone. I was just that one lost coin.

By now, both of us were looking at each other through the tears. “There was a day,” he went on to say, “when I could walk into any high stakes card game anywhere in the world, and the amateurs would fold or leave the table. The professionals knew they were going to lose. No matter the game I would win. It didn’t make any difference if it was cards, gambling, or shooting pool. You name it. They couldn’t beat me. Everyone knew my name and they hated to see me.

“I was living in the dirt just like this old nickel. Every time I even see a penny on the ground I pick it up. It reminds me of where I was when God found me and how he picked me up.

We both looked down at the nickel again. This time I viewed it with a different understanding.

“Brother, may I have this nickel?” I asked as I placed my upturned palm beside his. I will always treasure it!” I continued.

He smiled and placed it in my palm and I hugged his neck in thanks, because I too was once a lost coin.