Last year I gave away about 100 pencils before Christmas.  This year I knew that I wouldn’t be able to keep up this pace with the number of students I would have each period, but I didn’t really know how to solve this problem.

UNTIL………..

I was in the Christian bookstore this summer  (remember when I bought the praise flowers) and there was the nastiest green water bottle on the counter.  When I asked about it, I learned that this was the water that is available to children in many third world countries.

For some reason this hit a nerve in me that had never been hit in such a profound way.  I looked down in front of me and there was Raj, a four year old boy from India.  His eyes swept me away.

As tears filled my eyes, I knew that I was suppose to adopt him as a sponsor through World Vision for some reason.  I didn’t really know why, but I just felt a powerful urge to take his picture home and help his family.

As the employee at the store went to get the necessary paperwork, I thought of my class this year and thought, “This is how I will take care of the pencil problem! I’ll let my students help Raj by selling pencils instead of giving them away!”

On the first day of school, I explained to my class what the plan for the year was, and I think they were excited!  Deep inside kids want to help other kids.  There’s something special about knowing that a pencil is helping a little boy on the other side of the world!

It makes me realize that even though many days I feel about as useful as one pencil in a drawer full of pencils I still make a difference……….

So do you.

My thought for Friday is this:

Be the best pencil you can be and WHO KNOWS HOW GOD WILL USE YOU!!

Sharpen your skills!

Erase your mistakes!

Point people in the right direction!

And create a beautiful masterpiece in the world around you!

From one pencil to another, I love you all!