It Matters To That One

Perhaps you have heard this story before by Loren Eiseley…

A man and boy were walking along the shoreline, and the boy kept picking up starfish and tossing them back in the sea. He did this over and over again. Finally, the man said, “There are thousands of starfish on the shore drying out. What difference are you making?” The boy looked at him and replied, “It matters to that one.”

Eiseley’s actual words are much more elegant, but that is the gist. I have long loved the message of that story, and I believe that it can be a very helpful thought to keep in mind in this tumultuous world. Often times when we pursue something, we get frustrated when it doesn’t become “the next big thing,” and we quit because we have not had a sensational impact. Perhaps we give up because something is not as easy as we thought it would be. When these mindsets take hold, it can be easy to miss the little impacts we make.

So how can we open our eyes, hearts, and minds and commit to making little impacts?

1. Remember the purpose behind what you are doing. It may only have an impact on you, but you never know who is watching and might follow your lead. For example, when I started writing “Matthew & Me,” I did it because I knew that I needed a deep dive into the Gospels, and I knew that as a sinner there might be other people with similar questions that they were afraid to ask. Now there are five devotionals, and though none of them are bestsellers, I’m not done writing. The devotionals have made a difference with my faith, and that makes the effort worth it. If it opens up conversations for someone and helps bring one person to know Jesus, then that one difference will be extraordinary!
2. Find ways to be helpful to others at least once a week. There are so many people out there with various needs, and I dare say that some are afraid to voice their needs. You can make an impact just by sending a genuine “How are you?” or “I thought of you today” message. You can put food in a roadside pantry; you can donate items you no longer need; you can help a neighbor with a task. It doesn’t have to be a big production. Side note, if you have kids, let them see you do these things. They may follow your lead!
3. Share your experiences with those around you in an open and honest fashion. If you are on social media, then you have a platform in which you can bring light to topics and make a positive impact on those around you. When you are open and true, you will find that you can help people realize they are not alone. You can also share resources that might have a positive impact on others. Feel free to share my blog anytime! 😂 Seriously though, can you imagine the change that could come from more people using their platforms to be a blessing to others?

That’s a lot of serious thought, and a lot of info to digest. If you take nothing else from this post, remember the starfish.

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby