I have a pen collection. Some I picked up at training days, courses, conferences, some were gifted, some borrowed, some from friends, the washing machine, others I paid for, but most, I don’t have a clue how they came, but they did.

Sometimes I go through them and test if they work. I keep the ones that do and let go of the ones that don’t. They sit in my draw, in a yellow pencil case, till needed.

My husband was preparing to teach a youth program recently and grabbed a handful of those pens out.

Inevitably, some won’t come back to that yellow pencil case.

Got me thinking about how we share the love of God with others. It can work a bit like a spiritual pen collection.

I hear about the love of God in church, conferences, conversations, down the street, overseas, on the radio, in books, on podcasts, in interviews, on film, in seminars, from friends and family. Some come my way easily, others come through pain and trauma that cost me time and heartache.

Some of that information is valuable and important. It is true and brings me close to God. Some I test, look at its ink and let go.

My spiritual pen collection sits in my mind, ready to be shared when needed. The ink like living words of the Holy Spirit.

We all have our own spiritual pen collection. What is in your collection? Have you sorted through it lately? Taken off the lids and tested them? Used the ink?

Do you share your pens?