5 Fine Points

A pencil is a narrow, generally cylindrical implement for writing, drawing or marking, consisting of a thin rod of graphite, colored wax, or similar substance encased in wood.* A thorough examination of this ordinary everyday object will yield valuable lessons which we can apply, by analogy, in our daily lives. The following are just five of those valuable lessons:

1. Like a pencil, you are capable of many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone's hand. Make that "someone" God. If you trust God's loving hands to hold you, He will be able to mold you into the best you can be as a person.

2. Like a pencil, you will experience painful "sharpening" from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better person. That sharpener is none other than "experience" which is absolutely necessary for your growth as an individual.

3. Like a pencil, you have the ability to correct the mistakes you make. You are born equipped with "erasers," your conscience and free will. Your conscience is like a built in detector of right and wrong. You know a thing is wrong if it does not sit well with your conscience; then your free will allows you to rectify your mistakes by some acts of atonement, at times, all it takes is a simple "I am sorry," humbly and sincerely uttered.

4. Like a pencil, the most important part of you will always be what's inside - your heart. The true measure of your worth as a person is through your heart. Therein lies what you truly are. Not the outside trappings visible to the world.

5. Finally, like a pencil, on every surface you are used, regardless of its condition, you must leave your mark. Where you are, right now, is exactly where you are meant to be. Wherever it may be, whatever conditions there maybe, which you find yourself in, you should leave your mark, for good. Even if only in giving a glass of water to a thirsty fellow being. Knowing a life has breath easier, even for just a moment, because of you, will make you feel your purpose in this life. That is, basically, what "leaving your mark" means.

If a common, man-made object could provide us with such valuable lessons, think how much more lessons we will learn if we just get down from our high horses(am a degree holder, what can a college man learn from such and such) and open our eyes to the simple beauty created by God for us. Just think...

*American Heritage Dictionary