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Making a Difference to This One! (Poem by Bob Sanders--based upon the Starfish Story which he has retold and further enhanced)
A young man was strolling along the beach Suddenly he caught view and compassionately saw through further than his eye or heart could reach helpless starfish spewed upon the beach endless scores washed upon the shore for the tide has receded Now all were craving that helping hand so badly needed multitudes snared and left behind unsaved upon that rugged shoreline What could the young man do-- but go for the rescue? No more out of sight, out of mind not this time... Without regret or remorse he passionately pursued what seemed right and good with his heart tugging him upon this obvious course to save as many as he could His will now resigned to save one at a time till building in the multiplier might be more fully defined as compassionate partners linked up and aligned holding that line of weaving a working net by the Captains design
Meantime.... With a frustrated glance an old man watched from a distance in unbelief and ridicule Censoring the young man and judging him a fool for he also took a stance The way of Cain the pathway of self-interest and self-gain that ignores another's needs and pain Across the scorching sand he glared perplexed that this young man could possibly care He crossed the gulf of indifference and approached the young man and said, "Are you out of your head? Why do you go...don't you know... there are continuous miles, and countless thousands- starfish innumerable on these endless coastlands? Your dream is a waste and these lives mere throw aways!
It's a crime to squander such valuable time-- You're alive Does it really matter if they survive? Can't you see... They are not your responsibility! Return from this vanity back to reality! Reset your priorities! It's a futile mistake! It’s time to awake! And though it doesn’t matter anyway Defend yourself... For I need to know… what’s your take?
What Difference Can You Possibly Make?”
Then the young man picked up a starfish and said, It Makes A Difference To This One! And cast It into the sea…
Another Victory... each "One" precious indeed! Another now freed from the sands of fatality
Then suddenly he imagined that starfish to be… You or me, a member of our family a daughter...a son A loved one in captivity even a faceless one whom we might never meet or ever see even one of the least of these... rescued through generous and compassionate networking now lovingly cast into the safety of the Heavenly sea angels rejoicing ... eternity singing as another precious one leaves the shores of eternal agony to now Live in the Beauty and Safety of Christ's Glassy Sea-- Refreshed Forever in His Breathtaking Oceans of Eternity Immersed in the Holy Spirit Presence of Jesus our King- joyfully enduring these few fleeting years of earthly suffering in preparation for the Greatest Everlasting Feast of all time and eternity
My Lord, I pray help me to make a difference today! Stir into use these gifts and abilities You have freely given me into multiplied bread and seed both spiritually and physically to generously feed those in need help me to multiply ministry out exponentially... which is so clearly seen in the latent potential of a single apple seed!
Starfish Poem by Bob Sanders--enhanced and revised 1/24/06
*Research reveals that the original Starfish Story is told by Loren Eisley in his book "The Star Thrower"
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