In the beginning, a pencil maker spoke saying to the pencil and said, "Five things you need to know before I can send you to the world.

Always remember them and you will be the best pencil you can be:

*You will be able to do many great things but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand.

*You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but this is required if you are to become a better pencil

*You have the ability to correct any mistakes that’s why I made you with an eraser.

*The most important part of you will always be the inside.

*No matter what the conditions, you must continue to write. You must always leave a clear legible mark no matter how difficult the conditions.

On a second and closer look at the facts underlying this parable, I realize that you and I will be able to do many great things if only we allow ourselves to be held in the right hands and allow many people to access us for many the gifts the Maker has bestowed upon us.

I also realize that trials and temptations are always with us and they should be made part of our lives if we are to become the best people we ought to be and that no matter how harsh the conditions seem, we must always stand out of the crowd.

I don’t know about you, but when I examine myself, I can only thank God that he has promised that I can actually have my heart renewed without undergoing expensive surgery.

Ends