For All the Stars

The Starfish Story

Original Story by: Loren Eisley

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?"

The youth replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back, they'll die.""Son," the man said, "don"t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make a difference!"

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said,
"I made a difference for that one."

As I've been working on a book project, interviewing the homeless in my town as I run the Blanket Ministry for the homeless and partake in the Bridge Ministry at the same time, I am compiling quite a few stories along with a photo album. I mainly listen to them share their story, giving them a voice, praying as I do, they will feel the love of Christ from me.

 I and the other volunteers from the Bridge Ministry remember their names, we give them hugs, a listening ear and share Jesus with them. We hand them hope; it's up to them if they take it. 

Some would say that we cannot save all these people. We never intended to save them. That job was given to someone else.  We were just told to be a light in a dark world, to share love and compassion and give a blanket for warmth. And that is my desire.

I had the priveledge of praying the sinners prayer with the first man in this album. What a joy, a delight, a thrill, and a gift. . .for him and for me! God came in and saved this man through His son Jesus Christ. And I was able to partake in this holy moment. If I had not been on this "beach", I would have missed this miraculous moment.

Look at these faces. . .

What do you see? Do you think they need the love of Jesus spoken to them? Or should they just be left to die? What about the ones around you? Don't leave them there. Throw them a line, throw out the light on them, throw them into the arms of Jesus. . .and let Him do the saving. Would you really want these "stars" to die on a dry, parched beach? I didn't think so.

What stars has God put in your path? You may not make a difference to all of them, but is it not worth it for that one that you could?

Go ahead, pick up that star and pray. God will show you what to do. Pray, "Lead me Lord", and then start moving your feet. . .the rest will come.