Hidden in the icy mud
There lay a copper
coin,
The worth of which
was hardly such
That one would dare
employ.
Alone, despised,
invaluable,
And freely stepped
upon,
This copper coin
remained untouched
As time ticked slowly
on.
Then, in the chill of
winter’s day,
A man came passing
by,
Stooping low, he
brushed the snow
From that which
caught his eye.
Taking up that copper
piece
Of value so remote,
He wiped away the
hardened mud,
Then slipped it in
his coat.
More time passed and
there the coin
Sat hidden and
forgotten,
It seemed to have no
other use
But to fill a suit of
cotton.
Then, one day, as the
man was out
To purchase needed
meat,
It was made known the
cost was such
His dollar couldn’t
meet.
A penny short—one
copper coin
Was lacking from his
hand;
That which had been
esteemed as least
Was now in great
demand.
He thrust his hand
into his coat,
Reaching for a penny—
And in the time ‘twas
needed most,
He found his copper
ready.
But for a
penny—worthless so,
Devoid of richest
charm—
But for a soul,
though small, despised,
Yet saved by God’s
own arm,
But for that one,
though hidden long,
Who seems to have no
use,
But for a ready,
willing man,
A vessel God can use!
No matter how
inadequate
You think yourself to
be,
Or if your task is
something that
The world may never
see;
To every man there
comes a time
When he is called to
do
A task unique to his
design,
That only he can do.
That task may be a
moment,
A season, or
lifetime—
Were every 'copper' ready to
Fulfill his call divine!
Fulfill his call divine!
Copyright © Elisabeth Linzey 2015