A few weeks back I was asked by the pastor of the church I attend to help with the children’s sermon. He asked if I would color some pictures, this of course was right up my alley.

The first image we showed the kiddos was the untouched one, letting them ponder how they would color it. The second image was how the pastor imagined he would color it, trying to be good at staying in the lines, and using the “correct” colors.

Then he told the kids he had a friend that it was difficult for her to stay in the lines, and thought outside the box. Then we showed them the last coloring page, bright, busy, colorful and definitely more interesting. The kids as if on cue said ” Cool!”

You could easily see which one caught their eye.The Pastor went on to say, Yes, it’s okay to color in the lines and be safe with the things you choose, such as the colors, but isn’t it more interesting, exciting, and just plain fun to color outside the lines. Just as your life will be richer and colorful, and more fulfilling if you live outside your lines.

A lesson we should all live by.