I have a habit of going to our warehouse and looking around. I am amazed by the way in which God provides for our needs, and blesses us way beyond the neccessary.
And every once in a while I am puzzled as to why some things are donated. Sometimes even to the point of embarrasment.
The other day tucked on a shelf just between the college-lined notebooks, and boxes of fresh and point-tipped Crayola crayons was a hand-crafted box constructed of cardboard and con tact paper. It caught my eye and I lowered it from the shelf.
Once in my hand I decided to reveal the contents of the mystery container. Sliding it open I was surprised to find the following: Around 30 pencils who had seen better days.
None of these pencils were more than 3 inches long, and the vast majority were just barely an inch and a half. Most of them were chewed on, to the point that their paint no longer existed and there were no erasers to be had.
But there they were, a whole box of them. It brought a smile to my face. I imagined an sweet, old Sunday School teacher saving them up and sending them to us, making sure that nothing went to waste. And I felt some sort of attachment for these little pencils so I asked for the box and was on my way.
It was on my walk back to my apartment when God spoke to me through that box of used up writing utensils.
How often do you give me just that, Carmen.
In an instant, I went from seeing these pencils as an old lady's love gift to something completely different.
How often do you give me what is left? What is left of your time, what is left of your energy.
Whoa, now that hits home. A verse goes through my head:
"Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops." Proverbs 3:9
Lately God has been showing me that his desire is more than my tithes. His desire is to be my number one. To be the first One I think about in the morning, to be my top priority.
Now I hope this didn't come across wrong, that I'm saying that the donor of the pencils was wrong for sending them. What I'm asking you is a question: Are you giving God your best? Or have you been content in handing him the leftovers?
Thank you, Lord, for teaching me through the little things...even stubby, chew-marked pencils.
