The Parable of the Pencil

(Author unknown. Shared with me by my pastor spouse. Interpretation of the parable translated intentionally by me, KSB.)

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 will 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 is inside, And 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. Remember these things and never forget (Here is where the KSB version of the parable begins.).

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held by others. Created for community, our strength is in our bond with other humans. Access that strength and be that strength for others. Hold someone’s hand. Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time. Take the time to reflect on what is happening. Do not brush it away or sanitize it as a learning opportunity. True, you will learn things about yourself, but take time to grieve and feel the pain. Chaos forges strength. Three: You will be able to correct most of the mistakes you might make. A few you will not. Be intentional with how you live your life and how you engage others. Four: The most important part of you will always be what is on the inside. Character matters. Who you are matters. And Five: On every surface you walk through, leave your mark. Stay safe and be wise. There will be surfaces you need to avoid, or remove yourself from, due to danger. Others will net discomfort and pain, but keep writing. Broken pencils still write.

Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot make a change. Be a pencil. Your life matters. You matter. To others, to our university community, and to the world! 

Keep writing, Katrina