Be A Difference Maker

There is a story that I love about a man and his son walking along the shore. As they walk they discover hundreds and hundreds of starfish have been washed up on the beach. With each step, the boy picks up a starfish and throws it back into the sea.

The man sees the boy's actions and says, "What are you doing? There are thousands of starfish along the shore, you will never save them all -- it can't possibly make a difference."

The boy bent down and picked up another starfish, and tossed it gently beyond the breaking waves, then looked up at his father with innocent eyes and wisdom beyond his years, and simply said, "It made a difference to that one."

photo from http://andrew-ong.com/

Today I Pray...

...that I choose my words and actions wisely

Ever aware that...
...every word
...every gesture
...every moment

...can make a difference.

Reach

Flat footed
Arms at my side
...Waiting for life to come to me

Tippytoes
Arms extended
...Reaching out to grab hold of the life I want



Today I Pray...

for blessings in the form of
...sore arches
...and tired shoulders

Help me to keep reaching out

...to shake a hand
...to help someone in need
...to dry a tear
...to touch the stars.

Reach.

What's the Rush?

A flurry of activities
Hurrying here and there
Start this
Finish that

Living life to the fullest?
Maybe not
As sometimes I don't even notice
The world passing me by



Today I Pray
...that I slow down and breathe the air
...that I don't rush the time, or the day, or my life
...and most importantly
...don't rush to judgement

Be kind. Be generous. Be happy.

Today

Today I Pray

that I do not linger in the past

recounting "what ifs"

and second guessing days gone by

Let me take from yesterday

the lessons --

the stepping stones

towards tomorrow

Let me turn down

the noise

and clear away the distractions

of a sometimes overwhelming life

So that I can stand squarely

in the abundant light of

today

Broken Spirit

With little warning
hurt crept into my home yesterday...

...unexplainable
...unexpected
...unwanted
...undeniable

Not one but two
broken spirits
with tears in their eyes
saying, "Why?"

I feel their hurt
and wish I could take it from them
But it doesn't work that way

All I can do is pray...

...that today is better
...that they don't stay down for long
...that they look around and see
...that this is just a ripple in the pond



And beyond this hurt

...there is a world of joy
...a sea of hope
...mountains of love

...waiting for them

Today I Pray...
...for the broken spirits that need to be uplifted

Even in the quiet still of the night
...you are never alone

...have faith
...be strong
...believe

Because you are loved.