Scott McGaha wrote this devotioanal.
It’s funny to me how God can speak to us. I think that’s the one thing I never quite understood or had explained to me, how to listen to God. Once I started to understand, and trust me I’m no expert, I started to see Him in almost anything and everything. From hot dogs to waterfalls, sunsets to school musicals, He has touched my heart and soul so many times in the last few years that sometimes I feel a deep sadness as I wonder how much I must have missed in all the years before I learned to listen. Today, it was through some coins.

I’ve never been very good at saving money, but one thing I do like to do is save coins in old jars and bottles. Some might say it’s because I’m a hoarder, but don’t listen to them. Several years ago someone told me there was an error in the minting of the Connecticut state quarter and that the front and back were backwards. So, everytime I get a Connecticut state quarter, I keep hoping when I flip it over that oak tree will be upside down. Sadly, it never has, and until today I’d never even thought any more about it. But today the thought hit me: “I wonder how much one is worth?” After looking, I’m not sure that’s the actual error on the quarter. However, it did open up a window for God to speak and that’s what I want to share with you.

As I was looking at the various minting errors on coins through the years, what amazed me was the value of some of them. Something I’ve never been able to understand is why people are willing to spend so much money on something that’s actually an error? Why would you pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a mistake? Did you know that in 2011, a 1975 Roosevelt dime that did not have the “S” mint mark for San Francisco sold for $349,600? A dime. The monetary equivalent of 2 nickels or 10 pennies. And just because there’s an “S” not stamped on the dime, someone believed so strongly in it and wanted it so much that they were willing to pay $349,600 for it. Be honest, does that sound as crazy to you as it does to me?

But, it gave God the opportunity to speak and say this: I thought so highly of you and valued you so much that I was willing to pay the greatest price.

“For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life.” -John 3:16 (GNT)

But wait, there’s more: you are not a mistake. You and I, we make plenty of them, but God is perfect and He does not.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” -Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

The older I get, the more things that hurt on my body and the more things that either break on or fall off of my body. In many ways, I’m like an old car. I even squeak like one sometimes. On my very best days I never feel like I’m worth $349,600. Barely $3.49. But you know what? The same Creator who carefully positioned the sun and moon in their place, who crafted those beautiful rings around Saturn, who flung stars across the heavens as far as any telescope can see, says I am worth so much that He would give His only Son to die for me. I may not always feel like it, especially when I’ve messed up and disappointed Him, but the value He sees in me never diminishes. And when I think about that, I am overcome with gratitude and the tears begin to flow. And, I smile. And you know what? He feels the exact same way about you. Trust me, you’re worth it.

God bless,

Scott