Have you ever stopped to pick up a dropped penny? Even while those tiny coins might not seem like much, they can pile up over time. What if you spent a month gathering every cent you could find? or for a full year? This idea was elevated to a whole new level by Otha Anders.
A peculiar hobby belonged to Louisianan teacher Otha Anders. In the late 1960s, he started gathering pennies for the pure fun of it, rather than for wealth or fortune. Otha declined to accept the government’s offer to pay $125 for each $100 worth of pennies turned in. He loved having his collection.
For what reason pennies? Every cent was like a reminder to pray for Otha. He would stop and pray whenever he came across one, be it in a store, on the ground, or at a gas station. This small gesture developed into a significant ritual that served as his means of thanking God.
Otha was so dedicated to his collecting that he never accepted pennies as gifts from even his own family. He treasured his relationship with God and the spiritual fulfillment this practice provided. It turned into a way for him to count his blessings and give thanks for what he had. Over time, Otha’s collection grew significantly. His first objective was to collect pennies in five five-gallon jugs.
He kept the cash in big water bottles. But as soon as he reached that objective, he was driven to keep gathering. He eventually realized that the time had come to take the coins to the bank.
Upon finally making his way back to his bank, Otha hauled in fifteen five-gallon jugs filled with coins. He was more than glad to receive assistance from Origin Bank in Ruston, Louisiana, and the number was remarkable. They assisted him with his unique concept and truly valued his business.
In addition to its sentimental and spiritual significance, Otha’s penny collection was worth a substantial sum of money. However, he was put in a challenging position when he discovered that his unusual collection was not covered by his homeowner’s insurance. That is when he knew it was time to move the coins to the bank, a place of safety.
Otha’s tale imparts to us important lessons about finding significance in and enjoying life’s little pleasures. In addition to bringing him delight, his devotion to collecting pennies and reciting prayers had a significant impact on everyone around him. It is proof of the power of thankfulness and the significance of small acts in our life.
Thus, pause for a moment the next time you notice a penny on the ground. Consider your blessings and express gratitude for life’s little pleasures. You never know how a small gesture or a small sum of money might make a big difference in your life.
H /T : fitbodymedia.com
