While working on music recently, I realized my pencil was getting dull. So I took several pencils to my son's room and within seconds, the electric pencil sharpener took care of my concern. I began thinking.
During childhood, we could only use pencils for school work. (Ink pens weren't allowed until high school.) Pencil sharpeners were mounted on the teacher's desk with specific times for cranking the handle until our pencils were ready for the day's work.
If a pencil became dull or broken at home, however, there was no pencil sharpener available. Yet all I had to do was take the pencil to my Dad who pulled out his pocket knife and sharpened my pencil...carefully, kindly and consistently. The grooves where he painstakingly worked on my pencil reminded me of his love, patience and willingness to help anytime my brothers or I needed him. For some reason, it always seemed like the pencil stayed sharp longer, too. Maybe that was because I was always so proud of the "labor of love" I saw each time I used pencils Dad sharpened for me. My pencil seemed more special as I worked on classwork and homework.
I have learned that life's journey is also sweeter when I am more focused on the love, patience and help my Heavenly Father extends to me. When I take time to notice what He painstakingly does in my life, each moment seems more special, precious and purposeful. When I see a beautiful sunset or the moonlight reflecting on the new fallen snow...when I see a newborn baby smile or the kindness of an elderly person...when someone's thoughtfulness touches my heart at just the right time...or when a song reminds me of a tender memory...I know He is carefully, kindly and consistently reaching out with His love. If I fail to see the hand-shaped "grooves" of God's Presence, I am missing the most beautiful point of all. He is with me. He continues to write my story. I am never, ever alone.<3~thl
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