Ever since we released the song A Broken Crayon, I’ve had the chance to speak at churches, conferences, and parenting events across the country. Each time I share the story, I talk about five types of broken crayons—and every time, I see people nodding, tearing up, or coming up afterward to say, “That’s me.”
These five crayons are more than just metaphors—they’re real reflections of the emotional and spiritual struggles we all face. And they’re all included in the message of the gospel.
This crayon has been coloring nonstop, trying to keep up, please others, or stay in control. It’s weary, stretched thin, and losing joy. Jesus speaks directly to this crayon:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
—Matthew 11:28 (ESV)
Fear of failure. Fear of rejection. Fear of being truly known. But God’s Word says:
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
—2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
This one hides behind a smile, pretending to be okay. That was me for a long time. I thought following Jesus meant having it all together (or at least looking like I did). But pretending leads to isolation, and isolation is not what God intended for us.
“If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another…”
—1 John 1:7 (ESV)
Some crayons are broken by things that should never have happened. Pain, abuse, abandonment—real wounds that leave deep scars. But the gospel is for the brokenhearted:
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
—Psalm 147:3 (ESV)
This is the turning point. When a crayon finally says, “I’m not okay,” that’s when the Artist can begin to create something new. Honesty is where healing begins, and the gospel meets us not at the end of our mess, but in the middle of it.
The message of A Broken Crayon is this: You are never too broken to be used by God. I especially love sharing this message with those who work with children because they not only see themselves in these crayons, but also the children they work with.
If you’d like to bring this message to your church, school, or conference, visit GoFishResources.com/jamie. I’d love to share my story, sing a few songs, and talk about what it means to be a broken crayon!
And don’t forget, the beautifully illustrated children’s book is available for preorder now at GoFishResources.com/crayon. It includes discussion questions and is a great fit for both public and private school settings.
“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.”
—1 Corinthians 1:27 (ESV)
