We watched a very disturbing movie on television last night, and it left me grappling again with how one person can possibly make a difference in a world fraught with so much depravity and strife. Then the Lord helped me remember this lovely story, and His peace settled in my spirit. I believe the girl in this parable was dancing with joy to the day as she blessed helpless others and accomplished one little miracle at a time. One day at a time, one step at a time, one blessing at time is enough to make a huge difference if we “stoop” to serve up love in the lives of those God places on the paths of our individual journeys. “We can do no great things – only small things with great love.” ~Mother Teresa
A Parable
Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up. As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young woman, and that what she was doing was not dancing at all.
The young woman was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean. He came closer still and called out, “Good morning. May I ask what it is that you are doing?” The young woman paused, looked up, and replied, “Throwing starfish into the ocean.” “I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?”
To this, the young woman replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.” Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, “But, young lady, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”
At this, the young woman bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, she said, “I made a difference to that one!”
~Part of a 16 page essay by Loren Eiseley
Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding. ~Proverbs 3:13 ✝
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“We can do no great things – only small things with great love.”- Mother Teresa. And each and every one of those makes a difference. Lovely story, Natalie ~ Amelia 🙂
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Thanks, Amelia. I just added that quote to the post. I wish I’d remembered it, but then that’s what friends are for. And I’m so glad you are my lovely friend. Hugs, Natalie 🙂
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Here’s another you may want to stash away for the future, Natalie. Though I am sure you will already have – it’s such a good one.
“Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.” – Margaret Mead
Hugs back ~ Amelia
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Last night in home group I wrote three words in my journal after one discussion. ‘Small things matter.’
As a group we realised that God sees/notices all of the little things we do for Him, and that they all add up to the sum of a greater whole than we could ever imagine.
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Interesting that we were on the same wave length yesterday. Thanks to your group for the encouraging words. Blessings, Natalie 🙂
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The lower we are humbled, the higher He raises us … complete opposite to the world’s adulation and God’s thoughts on such. A little thing in man’s eyes is often amazingly huge in His.
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You are so right, Liana. I pray you are having a very blessed week. 🙂
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My only strength is in the Lord … blessings to you Natalie xxx
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What a lovely story… one that reminds me that “doing small things with great love” as Mother Theresa so aptly remarked, is what my own life should be about. It’s time for me to start focusing on all of those little things that too quickly pass by. Thank you, Natalie! 🙂
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I’m glad you enjoyed the story. It’s always been a favorite of mine. Hugs, Natalie 🙂
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And we are so blessed that He gives us enough strength for each day! XOXO
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Oh Amelia, I like tha one too. I don’t that is one that I knew, but you know it reminded that it only took one woman to have prayer removed from every school in America. Hugs, N 🙂
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Always a healing balm, to this often tired soul of mine, being reminded that we can and do make a difference, despite the fact that we may not ever see that difference. Teaching must remind you of that—all the good seeds you planted in your kids, the seeds you may never have seen sprout before they left you, may only come to fruition after you are long gone and they are grown.
This dark shadowed world, in which we reside, can be terribly overwhelming and troubling. Joyously and Miraculously our hope rests in the shadow of a cross and of an empty tomb!!
Hugs Natie love jules
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Love you last line, Jules. Thank goodness, we have that! There are still so many that don’t. Love you, Natalie :))
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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