A Starfish

This morning I went to a breakfast that honored those who volunteered.  There was two great stories shared, neither of which I heard before, so I thought to share them with you also. Plus, then I will remember them. :)

The first went something like this...
     If there was a 2 year old in the middle of a big highway, nearly 99% of the drivers would probably stop to help that child get out of the way, guide them out of danger, help them. As that child gets older, say 8 years old now, there would still be drivers stopping to help, but it would be less. If the the child is now a teenager, say 16 years old, there would be hardly anyone that would stop. Most would drive around him or her, and stay out of the way, thinking they should know better already. The speaker continued to say, that children need guidance and help along all ages, not just the very young. Stopping to give some guidance and love really can make a difference, even if it just a little bit at a time. So thank you all who take that time to Stop!


The second story, you may have heard before, is called A Starfish Story by Loren Eiseley.

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing.  He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. 

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer.  He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up. 

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all.  The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean. 

He came closer still and called out, "Good morning!  May I ask what it is that you are doing?" 

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean." 

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man. 

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die." 

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realzie that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!" 

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean.  As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."

Remember, every little thing makes a difference. So go out, be that difference in someone, share the water of grace with others in your little part of this big world.