~~~~THOUGHTS ON A SUNDAY MORNING~~~~ The Miracle of Silver Certificates

During my last two years in high school my preacher-man father was employed at a well known college in Colorado Springs.  As a collector and lover of old books both students and professors were always gifting him with things to read.  My dad lugged more dusty books home than I can tell you.  His office was filled to overflowing and his extensive library easily rivaled many a theologian.

 Just after I graduated from high school in 1976 my father was called to pastor a church in a small West Texas town.  Although the church was paying our moving expenses the money provided by the local congregation fell short of what was actually needed.

A lot short.

My dad's faith was and is amazing.  I remember him having serious financial concerns but he never once allowed negative thoughts to enter his mind about making the move.  When questioned about the details or asked about our family's future my father's answer was always the same...

 God called.  God will provide.  Let's pray.

And so he rented a big truck and we began to pack for a move to the Lone Star State.

Late one evening as were about to call it quits for the night a young neighbor boy who was helping fill boxes called out from inside our garage for my father to come.  As my dad exited the back of the truck he looked up as the boy began to speak.

"Mr. Elliott!  Mr. Elliott!  What do you and Mrs. Elliott want me to do with all this money?"

Standing silent and more than a bit overwhelmed, my dad simply said...

"What money, son?"

The boy's reply was high pitched and a bit frantic... 

"All the money falling out of these old books!"

With that hundreds of captive dollars were freed from their hiding place.

My Father and I - 1976

I don't remember exactly how much money was found that day, but it was more than enough for our family to move to Texas without worry...

Apparently upon the death of a very old professor several volumes of his aging books were gifted to my father by his children.  It is believed either the professor or his wife hid cash inside the books for safe keeping and then eventually forgot about it. The books were filled with Silver Certificate one dollar bills as well as fives, tens and twenties.

I've always believed if my father had been a man of wealth he would have loved sharing his fortune with his children.  Instead of millions he gifted each of us with a handful of 1957 Silver Certificate One Dollar Bills and a single 1963 Five Dollar Lincoln.

I'm not sure how I managed to save those bills all these years but I have.  Many, many times, especially early in my marriage, my Mr. AGPMan and I could have used those eight little bucks for some cheese, a loaf of bread or a piece of chicken...

Instead I vowed to keep the money as a simple reminder of God's goodness in my life.

He's been faithful...more than faithful.

"My God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need."

Philippians 4:19

Blessings for an awesome day in His mighty presence...