Wednesday, June 29, 2011

*Starfish* It made a difference for that one.


Searching for Starfish print from ImaginArt


Have you heard the Starfish Legend?
It is so inspiring to me. Allow me to share from epistle.us
A vacationing businessman was walking along a beach when he saw a young boy.
Along the shore were many starfish that had been washed up by the tide and were sure to die before the tide returned.
The boy walked slowly along the shore and occasionally reached down and tossed the beached starfish back into the ocean.
The businessman, hoping to teach the boy a little lesson in common sense, walked up to the boy and said, "I have been watching what you are doing, son.
You have a good heart, and I know you mean well, but do you realize how many beaches there are around here and how many starfish are dying on every beach every day. Surely such an industrious and kind hearted boy such as yourself could find something better to do with your time.
Do you really think that what you are doing is going to make a difference?"
The boy looked up at the man, and then he looked down at a starfish by his feet. He picked up the starfish, and as he gently tossed it back into the ocean, he said, "It makes a difference to that one”.

This story reminds me that you don't have to save the entire world. So often I see a need and want to fix ALL of it. I want to provide EVERYONE in Joplin, MO with quilts for their beds. I want to give the battered women's shelter enough hygeine items for the entire year. But I can't. So too often I sit paralyzed and do nothing. A lot of good that does. The Starfish story reminds me to give what I can. A few deodorants to a group going to Joplin. Some pillows to the women's shelter. I can't save everyone. But I can make a difference in the lives of a few.

I challenge all of you, my dear readers, to find a way to make a difference in the life of ONE this week. Go ahead and give the $1 extra at the cash register to help the local hospital. Buy one book for the school library. Serve in Sunday School for one hour. Whatever it may be.
There are no gimmicks here. There is no giveaway with this. The only giveaway is you, giving of yourself. And making a difference in the life of one.
Turquoise decorative starfish from BeaufifulDetailsWed
Adorable amigurumi starfish from glycosidic
Starfish Mobile from KATuk
Starfish necklace from Don'tWorryBeHippie

Sharing the inspiration at these links:
A Little Knick Knack
Ramblings of a Christian Mom
Photobucket

4 comments:

  1. Loving this post!! We are big Children's Miracle Network people around here ;).
    You just commented on my blog, twothirtyfivedesigns.blogspot.com, I am your newest follower and appreciate the follow back ;)

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  2. Wonderful post! Thanks for reminding us to be giving.

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  3. This is a really lovely post. Thank you for sharing it. I struggle with the same issue of getting overwhelmed and ending up doing nothing. The starfish story is a wonderful reminder to just do something. One of my favorite quotes right now is from Peter Marshall: "A small deed done is better than a great deed planned." I put in on my fridge to be a constant reminder! I found you on A Little Knick Knack :)
    ~Brooke

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  4. Thank you for the inspiring post. Love, love, love the crocheted starfish! xoxo michele

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