Broken Crayons Still Color: A Masterpiece in the Making

I recently came across a statement that stopped me in my tracks: Broken crayons still color. As soon as I read it, my mind started spinning, and before I knew it, this blog post began to write itself. It’s funny how a simple truth can hit you like a lightning bolt, isn’t it? So, grab your coffee (or tea, if that’s your thing) and settle in, because this one is personal.

Let’s take it back to childhood for a moment. Remember those little boxes of crayons we’d clutch like treasure? How many times did you reach for a broken crayon instead of a brand-new one? Maybe it was your favorite color, or perhaps it was the perfect shade you needed to finish your masterpiece. The thing is, even though it was broken, it still worked. It still did what it was meant to do: color. The only catch was that we often had to peel back the paper to reveal more of the crayon underneath.

Think about that for a second. To use that broken crayon, we had to peel away its outer layer—strip it down to its core—to make it functional again. And you know what? It still brought beauty to the page.

What if we took that same principle—the broken crayon principle—and applied it to our lives? As adults, we all carry a bit of brokenness. Maybe it’s a dream that didn’t turn out the way we planned, a relationship that left us shattered, or a season of life that took more from us than it gave. Whatever it is, we’ve all experienced moments where we felt like those broken crayons, tossed aside, no longer useful.

But here’s the thing: broken doesn’t mean useless. Broken doesn’t mean unworthy. Broken doesn’t mean you can’t create something beautiful.

In fact, sometimes the broken parts of our lives hold the most vibrant colors. They tell a story of resilience, growth, and purpose. Like those crayons, we might need to peel back some layers—layers of fear, doubt, shame, or regret—to get to the part of us that’s still ready to create.

What would happen if we allowed ourselves to embrace the beauty of our brokenness? Instead of hiding it, we could use it to color the pages of our lives with purpose and passion. Each stroke of that crayon, each experience—good or bad—adds to the masterpiece we’re creating.

Your life, my life, all of our lives are like blank pages waiting to be filled. And even if we’re working with broken crayons, we can still create something breathtaking.

Let me take this a step further: that peeling back of the crayon’s cover? It’s not just about removing what’s unnecessary; it’s about revealing what’s essential. It’s about uncovering the part of you that is still capable, still ready, and still worthy. It’s about stepping into the purpose for which you were designed, even when it feels like life has left you in pieces.

At the end of the day, those broken crayons in your life—those moments, those experiences, those setbacks—are not the end of the story. They are part of it. They are what add depth, dimension, and texture to your masterpiece.

So, let me encourage you: don’t discard your broken crayons. Don’t write off the parts of you that feel less than perfect. Instead, peel back the layers, pick up the pieces, and start coloring again. You might just be surprised by the masterpiece you create.

As you move through this week, keep this in mind: broken crayons still color. And so can you. You’re not too broken, too far gone, or too anything to fulfill your purpose. You were designed to bring beauty to this world, one colorful stroke at a time.

A Prayer for the Broken Crayons in Our Lives

Heavenly Father,Thank You for the gentle reminder that even in our brokenness, we are still useful, purposeful, and capable of creating beauty. Lord, help us to see beyond our flaws and setbacks to the vibrant colors You’ve placed within us. Peel back the layers of doubt, fear, and shame so that we can step boldly into the purpose You’ve designed for us.

When we feel discarded or useless, remind us that You make all things new and that You can turn even our broken pieces into something breathtaking. Strengthen our hearts to trust You, to lean into Your grace, and to keep coloring the pages of our lives with hope and faith.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Now, go out there and create your masterpiece. You’ve got this.