The Penny Jar

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

Several years ago, I came across a blog post about a book called 936 Pennies. The illustration was beautifully simple. On the day of a baby's dedication, the parents received a jar containing 936 pennies—one for every week, on average, they would have until their child graduated from high school. Each Sunday, they moved one penny into another jar as a reminder that another week had been invested.

I couldn't stop thinking about it.

It reminded me of a truth every parent eventually discovers: none of us invests every penny of our time as wisely as we'd like. I certainly didn't. There were seasons when I was intentional and fully present, and there were seasons—especially during my daughter's addiction—when fear, frustration, and sheer emotional exhaustion drowned out the mother I wanted to be.

But the idea stayed with me.

What if we borrowed that penny jar—not to count the days slipping away, but to celebrate the days we intentionally spend with the One who changes every part of our lives?

Imagine starting this week with a jar holding 365 pennies. Each morning after you've spent time with the Lord in prayer and His Word, move one penny into a second jar.

This psalm doesn't simply tell us to count our days. It teaches us to value them wisely. Biblical wisdom isn't just knowing God's truth; it's choosing to invest our lives in what matters for eternity.

Some mornings your Bible study will be rich and unhurried. Other mornings it may be a few verses and a whispered prayer before the day begins. Move the penny anyway.

Because faith isn't built in spectacular moments.

It's built through ordinary faithfulness.

If you are consistent each day, at the end of the year you will have moved $3.65—not even enough for a fancy cup of coffee—but you'll also have 365 reminders that God changed you one ordinary day at a time.

Then begin again with another jar and another year of choosing what matters most.

Over time, those jars will become more than loose change. They'll become a testimony that the deepest faith isn't usually forged on the mountaintop. It's formed on ordinary Tuesday mornings when you choose Jesus over the world's distractions.

The greatest investments rarely pay off overnight. One day you'll simply look back and realize how much God has changed you.

Numbering your days isn't about watching time disappear.

It's about spending it wisely.

And nothing is wiser than investing it with Jesus.

So, spend the time. Move the pennies.

The return on your daily investment will last for eternity.

You are loved!