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The Pencil Story
A Story of Living Well

This Pencil Story originally appeared in Like the Flowing River by Paulo Coelho. Many retellings may be found across the Web;  I chose this one because it points to us being held in the hand of God.

Have you ever thought about how a pencil can teach us that if we allow ourselves to be held in God's hand and let Him control and guide our lives, we can accomplish great things?!


pencil story lesson

Photo by Lisa Fotios @Pexels


The Pencil Story  

A boy was watching his grandmother write a letter. At one point he asked:

"Are you writing a story about what we’ve done? Is it a story about me?"
His grandmother stopped writing her letter and said to her grandson:
"I am writing about you, actually, but more important than the words is the pencil I’m using. I hope you will be like this pencil when you grow up."

Intrigued, the boy looked at the pencil. It didn’t seem very special.
"But it’s just like any other pencil I’ve ever seen!"

‘That depends on how you look at things. It has five qualities which, if you manage to hang on them, will make you a person who is always at peace with the world."

"First quality: you are capable of great things, but you must never forget that there is a hand guiding your steps. We call that hand God, and He always guides us according to His will."

"Second quality: now and then, I have to stop writing and use a sharpener. That makes the pencil suffer a little, but afterwards, he’s much sharper. So you, too, must learn to bear certain pains and sorrows, because they will make you a better person."


story of the pencil

‘Third quality: the pencil always allows us to use an eraser to rub out any mistakes. This means that correcting something we did is not necessarily a bad thing; it helps to keep us on the road to justice."

"Fourth quality: what really matters in a pencil is not its wooden exterior, but the graphite inside. So always pay attention to what is happening inside you."

"Finally, the pencil’s fifth quality: it always leaves a mark. in just the same way, you should know that everything you do in life will leave a mark, so try to be conscious of that in your every action."




Lessons from the Pencil Story:

Lessons learned from a pencil:

  1. God's hand guides us; He is at work in our life.
  2. God allows sharpening which may not feel good, but is for a greater purpose.
  3. God has given us a way that our sins may be erased!
  4. The most important part of a pencil as well as a person is what's on the inside.
  5. Not all pencils or writing utensils are the same, but they are all meant to leave their mark.  We have each been created to be used by God to make our unique marks for His glory!


1.  Capable of Great Things


“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing."

John 15:5


A pencil is small and on its own can't do much, but when it's held in the hand of a writer, it can write wonderful things!  It's the same with us, we are capable of so much more when we allow God to hold and guide us!


2.  Sharpening


"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."

James 1:12


There come times when a pencil needs sharpening.  Sharpening makes a difference; it makes the pencil better.  If you were a pencil would that feel good?  

Sometimes in our lives we may have things that don't "feel" good, but God can use them to make us more useful for Him.  God wants to use them for a purpose - to make us better...sharper.  We have a choice to allow God to sharpen us or we can let these times leave us dull or even break us.  Much has to with our perspective.


3.  Eraser


"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

1 John 1:9


When we write a misspelled word, make a mistake or mark that we didn't want to make, we use the eraser on a pencil and are glad we weren't writing with a pen! The Bible says we all do wrong things, things that displease God; we call these sins.

An eraser on a pencil is important to erase where we have written something wrong.  In the same way, we can ask God for forgiveness through Jesus and He will "erase" our sins. 


4.  what's on The Inside

"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Colossians 1:27 NIV

What would you say is the most important part of a pencil?  Is it the wood or plastic on the outside?  No; the most important part of a pencil is what is on the inside...the lead.  Without that it could not do what it was created to do - write or make a mark!

No matter how we look or what we can or can't do, what's on the inside of us is most important - a soul filled with Jesus!

Pencils are used to make marks & so are we! No matter where God has placed us - on paper, cardboard, or plastic - He wants us to make a mark...a difference for Him!


object lesson pens pencils

5.  Our own mark


"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work."

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 NIV


Finally, we may not all be pencils; we are not all alike. Some may be more like markers making bright bold marks or highlighters that spotlight the work and marks of others. No matter what our gifts though, Jesus wants to use us in unique and special ways for His Kingdom!


We also have a Bible object lesson plan for kids or youth based upon The Pencil Story.

For more stories like this one, visit our Inspirational Stories page!


pencil story object lesson

Moral of the Pencil Story:

Each time you use a pencil or pen let it be a reminder of these lessons from a pencil and how God wants to use you in a special and unique way right where He has placed you.

© Copyright 2013 Susan Smart



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