There are just so many..

You can't save them all- there are just too many and I do not have the resources...We all have heard this and probably said those words at some time during our lives. One story that comes to mind and those who are probably on their own journey to save their starfish have heard this one frequently but really it has so much meaning and I want to share it again.

This is an adapted version from Star Thrower by Loren C. Eisely

A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.

 

She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”

 

The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied,

 

“Well, I made a difference to that one!”

 

The old man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had done and said. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and all the starfish were saved

Each and every one of us holds the power in our hands to change a life, change a circumstance and inspire others to do the same. It is what you do with that power that determines the fate of all the starfish. Will you turn away and become overwhelmed by the sheer amount or will you roll up your sleeves and help a starfish? I might not being able to save them all... but with God's help I will save one and hopefully inspire others to do the same whether it is through adoption, donations, prayers, or sharing.