Not the Sharpest Crayon (04/27/2026)

She was telling her companion about the young man that worked at the store. “He’s not the sharpest crayon in the box.” His answer amazed her as much as it amazed me. “Yeh, but a dull crayon can still leave a mark, an even broader mark.” And I silently told myself, “great answer.”

Over the years, I have found so many instances of the one others thought lacked the luster needed to make it in life actually make lasting and broad differences in the lives of others and in our world. As a student of scripture, I must admit that most of the heroes we name now weren’t the ones others would have chosen: Moses, David, Peter. Moses had a temper and stuttered. David was impulsive. Peter was a fisherman whose doubt sunk him. But in spite of their challenges, they have made remarkable contributions to our world.  They, in their own ways, opened themselves to the LORD and the LORD’s will and brought themselves to the tasks of the LORD.

One of my favorite movies was “Forest Gump.” Some may have said he wasn’t the sharpest crayon, but when we stand back and take in his accomplishments in the movie, we recognize the huge impact he had on the life of his mother, on Jenny, and on Lieutenant Dan. Forest consistently worked harder and tried harder and trusted more deeply than those around him.

I carried that conversation with me all day. It kept coming back for multiple reasons. First, I loved the response; instead of piling on, the second speaker seemed to see the potential and the blessed possibilities in the young man. I appreciated the wisdom, seeing what the first speaker missed. And lastly, valued the truth – the less sharp crayon can make a mark and even a broader mark.  As I’ve pondered that conversation, I thought of all the people in the world I wish had heard it as I did, all those who doubt themselves or their abilities.

I’m going to remember that answer for a long time and not just when I  see a box of crayons.  I’m especially going to remember it as I pray daily. May I open myself to the possibilities the LORD puts before me for me to tackle but also to open myself to the possibilities the LORD calls others to daily remembering that the LORD often calls unlikely people.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.