When I first saw this post from Eryn Lynum on her blog from Famine to Foodie, I cried. Full on cried reading it. It was beautiful. Beautifully written, and so powerful.
I adapted her blog post, shortening and re-wording a bit, to create a baby shower gift for Carson’s sitter who is with him when I am at work.
You can download my adaptation here: The gift of $9.36
Watch this video to see why I loved it so much…
Kathryn–this is STUNNING!
Thank you so much, firstly, for sharing the “936 Pennies” post, and for your kind words, encouragement, and shout out. That means so very much to me.
I have to say, this is one of the most incredible ways I have seen the post shared. Your adaption for giving the message as a gift is beautifully put together. And your video brought me to tears.
Thank you so much for helping to share this message on intentionally investing the 936 weeks we are given.
I will be sharing your blog and video with my readers on my Facebook page.
May God bless you as you continue to invest your pennies wisely, and encourage other parents to do the same!
Eryn Lynum
From Famine to Foodie
erynlynum.com
Oh my goodness, Eryn! It means so much to me that you commented on this post! Your jar and words resonated so much with me: I was so happy to share it. You are an incredible writer, and I’m so glad I found your blog. It means a lot that you are sharing my post and video! God bless you and your beautiful family!!
Thank you so much for posting his!!!! Such a beautiful idea!!!
Glad you enjoyed, Marina! Thanks for watching <3
This is a great tip particularly to those new to
the blogosphere. Brief but very accurate information…
Thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!
What a brilliant idea x
I am wondering if you would be willing to send me the text of the letter (not a file attatchment) to my e-mail. Then I can just copy and paste into my own document. I can not open the file because I do not have microsoft office. I am trying to make this for my sister and I would be very grateful if you could.
This is the text…
The gift of $9.36
In this jar is a penny for every week you will raise your children before they go out on their own.
936 weeks. They are so very many, yet so very few.
Place this jar of pennies on your desk, on a shelf in the girls’ rooms, or somewhere where they serve as a visible reminder of our precious time with our children.
The days are long, but the weeks and the years are short.
When you look at this jar, it will remind you about how you are spending your time.
A penny can be invested, it has the potential of growing in value. It also has the potential of getting lost in a couch cushion.
If we divide a penny into seven parts, one a day for each week, what worth are we breathing into each of those days?
There are days that are filled with laughter, joy, jokes, memories, and silly moments that are imprinted on our hearts forever.
Some days we feel like we spend our whole penny—the allowance of a week—in a single 24 hour period. In weak moments, we blow through 5 cents. One slip of the tongue, one impatient reaction, one missed opportunity to speak truth.
But when you back up and see the jar as a whole, it’s also a testimony and display of God’s amazing grace. 936 pennies rich.
Despite the days where we spend a penny frivolously, or lose a penny in the couch, HIS grace covers a multitude of wrongs and is so much bigger than that lost penny. He is the jar.
The jar represents the investments of a lifetime. The investment in eternity. Those pennies are being invested. They are creating something new, something of bravery. Something of Kingdom importance. The time you spend with your girls is also an investment in their relationship with Jesus.
These moments fly by in the blink of an eye. And it’s true what everyone says: kids grow up way too fast. Invest each penny with intention and love. And do it all for HIS glory.
We have 936 beautiful weeks ☺
Adapted from “How 936 Pennies Will Change How You Parent” by Eryn Lynum
http://erynlynum.com
Thank you So much! I just made this for my sister and her new baby boy!