Crayola Crayons: The Father’s Desire To Bless His Children
by Nancy Duren
Everyone wants a home to call their own. As a first-time home buyer, I was so excited! I discovered a beautifully renovated, affordable house. The catch? The home was in a rough neighborhood that had been chosen for a revitalization program. I mulled over the location. The area was dangerous, but maybe God wanted me to live there to win the lost. It was a great thought, but I had safety concerns. By that evening, I had started to buy into the erroneous belief that I needed to earn the house by living and witnessing in a dangerous area.
As I prayed the next day, God reminded me of a conversation with my daddy when I was little. I had just awakened from a dream, which I shared with Daddy. In the dream, I was enjoying coloring with a box of 64 Crayola Crayons. I told Daddy it was disappointing to awaken from the dream because I didn’t really have the crayons.
My daddy sat there silently for a minute. “When you finish your breakfast, put on your shoes,” he told me. “We’re going to the store.” “Why are we going to the store, Daddy?” I asked. “We’re going to get you a box of crayons,” he replied, his eyes and voice conveying the hurt in his heart. “Why did you want those crayons and not ask me for them?”
Of course, my daddy bought me the crayons. As I recalled that event, I realized it hurts the Lord when I don’t share with Him the desires of my heart. So, I asked. I wanted a newer house with lots of windows in a quiet, safe neighborhood. I also wanted to live in a certain town. He fulfilled each one of my desires.
That evening, I received a call about building a new home at a very low interest rate! The new neighborhood was outside the city limits but would be annexed by the time my home would be completed. I jumped at the chance to build a beautiful home of my own. The house had lots of windows with wide sills for my chubby cat. I had amazing neighbors who became dear friends. I enjoyed living there for six years before life changed drastically for me.
Crayons eventually are lost or broken. Like a box of crayons left in the sun, life circumstances often melt together to form something new and beautiful. Due to job layoffs, I have moved back to Alabama and am selling the house I built in North Carolina. What was God’s purpose in building it other than His provision during that time? He will reveal all things in due time and will meet every need (Philippians 4:19).
After all, He is a good, good Father.
And He created all the colors in my box of 64 Crayola crayons.
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- Team Colors - June 4, 2018
- Crayola Crayons: The Father’s Desire To Bless His Children - April 4, 2018
Nancy this is beautiful! You’ve spoken of that Crayola story and it’s so precious and heart warming. I can’t wait to meet your daddy in heaven!
Thank you, Sheryl! I appreciate your kind comments. I’m thankful that in Christ, I have the promise of seeing him and Mama again and introducing my dear friend from NC! : )
Love this! Thanks for the reminder that all I need do is ask… sometimes I forget that small detail! He always is always listening! Sometimes I just forget to talk! ❤️ And I feel like you are back in Alabama for a very important purpose by the way!
Thank you, Ginger! I appreciate your kind, encouraging comments. I do believe this group is part of God’s plan for my life. I’m so glad you are part of our small group!
Nancy this is wonderful! You have such talent—I love to read writers that can make me “see” the picture with a story. Great job! And I especially liked the connection between asking for the box of 64 Crayola crayons to asking God for things, after all, it’s every child’s dream to have that box of 64 crayons!!😍
Thank you, Abbie! That’s very encouraging! God really used that to show me that He really wanted to help, direct and bless my life, that I shouldn’t feel like I was bothering Him to need something or have something that I was hoping for in my life.
Nancy, wow I knew you had a way with words. Like Abbie said I could picture the whole story , which is definitely a gift you have. What a great comparison, God does want to hear all our hopes and dreams and we often forget that. Thanks for sharing such a great story.👍👏👏
Thank you, Cathy! You’re so sweet! He is a good Father and loves us much more than we understand.
Reading your story “in print” was beautiful to see and read. Having known your daddy I can almost see the look on his face and hear the hurt in his voice when he realized his baby girl didn’t have the crayons she really wanted. Bringing the point to us not asking our Father for things we want was brilliant. You are talented my BFF. Do you think writing all those years in your diary could have helped you out? Lol
blockquote, div.yahoo_quoted { margin-left: 0 !important; border-left:1px #715FFA solid !important; padding-left:1ex !important; background-color:white !important; } Thank you, Rhonda! It definitely helped!
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I love this! Not only does this story remind us of our good, good, heavenly Father, it also reminds us that there’s good dads here on earth too. We don’t hear enough about that. Great job, Nancy! I look forward to many more insightful stories.
Beautiful illustration! Thank you for sharing with me.
Nancy, I love this!!!!!! I never saw this sitting here until you told me!!!! So wonderfully written!!! You have a gift and a talent from the Lord! God bless you and continue to use your gift and talent !!! Although I can relate to the crayon color blue because you don’t live here in NC anymore!!!! 💙. Love you dear friend! 😘
My dear friend, Nance, words fail me to convey my feelings. Proud of your God given talent, creativity, and a mastery of storytelling. You drew me in and though I love it, was not surprised. I have loved all the stories we have shared over the years. So thankful that the world is now able to share enjoying your gift! Kudos!