Starfish Story

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!