A Dull Pencil

Some ask, “How can you write so?” “How can you manipulate words so well?” To answer the question I state the obvious, “I simply don’t know, it is the gift of God”. I’m often taught, convicted, and amazed as anyone else. For with pencil and paper I simply write the impressions that I believe God gives me, it is that simple.

Yet more amazing than a few marks on a page are your lives. What an abundance of teachers you are. For you teach me patience under trial. Grace under pressure. Mercy in the face of hatred.

Many of you have comforted me when I sobbed in failure or listened to my heart when racked with doubt and despair. Many of you witnessed the worse in me, the frailty in me and yet you call me friend. I’ll be honest—I don’t understand why.

Yet, it is your heart, your words of encouragement and your prayer that keeps me scratching away the unfolding majesty of the heart of God. A portion of who’s heart abides in you.

Some of you stand before crowds and preach the gospel of Christ—I can hardly carry-on an understandable conversation. Some of you create with your hands and then give those creations to the poor. Some of you teach, some of you write, most of you have responsibilities and abilities that I simply cannot imagine me having.

On the other hand, I write with a dull pencil to my friends who love me and bless me in their reading. Thank you for your influence, for encouragement, and for teaching me about God, love, and friendship.