Age 8: Looks at herself and sees herself as Cinderella/Sleeping Beauty.
Age 15: Looks at herself and sees herself as Cinderella/Sleeping
Beauty/Cheerleader or if she is fretting: sees fat/pimples/UGLY. (Mom I
can't go to school looking like this!)
Age 20: Looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too/short/too tall,
too straight/too curly"- but decides she's going anyway.
Age 30: Looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too
straight/too curly" but decides she doesn't have time to fix it, so she goes
anyway.
Age 40: Looks at herself and sees "too fat/ too thin, too short/to tall too
straight/too curly"- but says: "At least I'm clean" and goes anyway.
Age 50: Looks at herself and sees "I am" and goes wherever she wants to.
Age 60: Looks at herself and reminds herself of all the people who can't
even see themselves in the mirror anymore. Goes out and conquers the world.
Age 70: Looks at herself and sees wisdom, laughter and ability, goes out and
enjoys life.
Age 80: Doesn't bother to look. Just puts on a purple hat and goes out to
have fun with the world.
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'll need it to become a better pencil."
"Three: I will be able to correct mistakes you might make."
"Four: The most important part of you will always be what's 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 remember the pencil is like you. Always remember it and
never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.
One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow
> yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to
access
you for the many gifts you possess.
Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by
going
through various problems, but you'll need it to become a stronger
person.
Three: God will be able to forgive mistakes you might make.
Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the
inside.
And Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark.
No
matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.
By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this
earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart.
--Author Unknown.
PRAYER:
Thank you, God for the parable of the pencil. Use us to make your
mark on the world this day. Amen.
--Selected from God@Work newsletter. God@Work is a ministry of St Mark's United Methodist Church, 8550 Pioneers Blvd., Lincoln Nebraska 68520 U.S.A. e-mail: info@stmarks.org
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A Fun, Faith 'n Funny Bone Feature 
