A young boy sat at his desk, struggling with his homework. He reached for a pencil, but as he began to write, it snapped. Frustrated, he sighed and was about to throw it away when his grandfather stopped him.

“Why are you throwing it away?” the old man asked.

“It’s broken,” the boy replied. “It’s no good anymore.”

His grandfather picked up the broken pencil, sharpened the broken end, and handed it back. “See?” he said with a smile. “It still writes.”

The boy took the pencil and, to his surprise, found that it worked just as well as before. It was broken, but it was still useful.

Many times, we feel like that broken pencil. Life’s hardships, failures, and mistakes leave us feeling useless, as if we can no longer be effective for God. But the Bible is full of people who were “broken” yet still used powerfully by God.

• Moses doubted his ability to lead (Exodus 4:10).
• David failed morally but was still called a man after God’s heart (Acts 13:22).
• Peter denied Jesus three times, yet Jesus restored him and made him a leader in the early church (John 21:15-17).

The Apostle Paul reminds us:

2 Corinthians 12:9  “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

God doesn’t discard us because of our failures. He restores us, sharpens us, and continues to use us for His glory.

Sometimes, we think our past disqualifies us from being used by God. But just like the broken pencil still writes, God can still use you. The most powerful testimonies often come from those who have been broken but restored by His grace.

Romans 8:28  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

God doesn’t need perfect people – He needs willing people. No matter your past, your failures, or your struggles, if you place your life in His hands, He can still use you.

Are you feeling broken, as if you’ve messed up too much for God to use you? Remember the broken pencil. It still writes.

God is not finished with you. Let Him sharpen and restore you, and He will use you to make a difference in ways you never imagined.