There are 5 things you need to know about a Pencil

At times it takes a simple story or parable that even a child would understand to bring things into perspective. We get so wrapped up in our lives that we forget the simplest of lessons.

This past Sunday at church my pastor relayed one of those parables many have likely heard before, some maybe for the first time. Even so it was like some of the words pierced right through me and you could tell it affected a few others as well.

It is possible that you too have heard this story, but I wanted to share it once again.

Pencil Story

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box.

“There are 5 things you need to know,” he told the pencil, “Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.”

“One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone’s hand.”

“Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you’ll need it to become a better pencil.”

“Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.”

“Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.”

“Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.”

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God’s hand. 

By allowing God to hold our hearts and mold us by giving us each our individual gifts to share.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems in life.

Similar to Iron sharpens iron, so do we have experiences in our lives that shape us in different fashions, sharpening us to God’s vision.

Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

Mistakes happen, yet we have the power of repentance and forgiveness to erase the marks of our sins and correct them.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s on the inside.

No matter who you are, or what you may look like it is what is on the inside that matters. Our hearts determine the path that we follow.

Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. 

Always leave your mark, tell your story and share it with others. Through our own lives we shall leave a legacy to those who may follow.

Allow this parable of the pencil to be a source of encouragement no matter what your current story may be. By allowing ourselves to be sharpened, molded and held we allow God’s intended beauty to shine through.