STARFISH

These thoughts come from a book...Fields of the Fatherless- Discover the Joy of Compassionate Living.

A YOUNG MAN COLLECTING SEASHELLS NOTICED AN AGED FELLOW WALKING ALONG THE BEACH. HE SAW THIS OLD MAN WALK A FEW STEPS, BEND OVER, PICK SOMETHING UP, AND FLING IT INTO THE SEA. HE REPEATED THIS OVER AND OVER.

FILLED WITH CURIOSITY, THE YOUNG MAN MOVED CLOSER UNTIL HE REALIZED WHAT THE OLD MAN WAS DOING. HE WAS PICKING UP ONE OF THE MANY STARFISH THAT LAY DYING ON THE BEACH AND THROWING THEM FAR INTO THE WATER.

THE YOUNG MAN THOUGHT THIS TASK WAS AN INCREDIBLE WASTE OF TIME. SO HE ASKED, "SIR, WHY ARE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO TRY TO SAVE ONE STARFISH WHEN THERE ARE THOUSANDS LYING ON THE BEACH? YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE!"

THE OLDER MAN SMILED, BENT OVER, PICKED UP ANOTHER STARFISH, AND FLUNG IT INTO THE OCEAN. THEN HE SAID, "IT MADE A DIFFERENCE TO THAT ONE!"

I love this illustration. It is meaningful to me as we think about our adoption. But it sure applies to every other part of my life as well. I can get pretty overwhelmed with all of the bad things that happen in this world. It it so much bigger than I am. But when I simply think of where God has placed me at this moment in time, it helps to know that the best thing for me to do is to make a difference in my corner of the world... one person at a time.

Personal weakness provides a great opportunity for God's strength to come through! He's just waiting for us to call upon Him in our weakness so He can show Himself strong on our behalf. What a great position to be in!!

"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses...for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." II Corinthians 12:9-12