Making a difference...one person at a time...

One of my favorite little stories of recent years is the one about the young man walking along on a deserted beach on a windy, blustery day. An embittered older gentleman was standing above him on a bluff observing the young man stopping often, picking up something, and seemingly tossing whatever it was back into the surf.

Finally the older man couldn't stand it any longer, so he walked down and blocked the young man's way.  He then saw thousands of starfish stranded on the beach from the recent high tide.  "Don't you know that you can't save all of these starfish?" he asked the younger man. "You're just wasting your time here.  Go on and do something that matters to the world."  The young man smiled back and continued to toss the starfish back into the water.  "What I'm doing sure makes a difference to that one starfish I just tossed back into the water."

I firmly believe that's the attitude Christians must have about their work in this world.  We may not be able to change every bad situation or help every person with which we come into contact, but we can certainly work to be a blessing and help to one person at a time.  Who knows what an encouraging smile, a friendly hello, an invitation for a quick meal, or something more substantial might do to change a life?  Kindness doesn't always win, but I had much rather be found on the side of erring toward goodness than evil.

I read a story this week that focused my mind on the coming Super Bowl.  I have checked several references to be certain that the facts are straight and it is a wonderfully heart-warming reflection on one man changing the world for one family.  Normally, when I don't have a favorite team playing, the Super Bowl isn't all that thrilling, but I've decided this week that I'm cheering for the Arizona Cardinals and their quarterback, Kurt Warner.  My choice has little to do with football or his skill in the game, but I like his attitude about life.

I read that Kurt Warner worked as a bag boy for a local grocery store. One day he was called up front to help bag groceries and when he looked at the young lady running the register, he was shocked by her beauty.  He waited around the store entrance a few days later hoping to run into her again.  Sure enough, she clocked out and came out the door.  He asked if he could take her home.  She said no.

A day or two later, he waited and asked again if he could drive her home.  Again, she said no. Finally he got up the nerve to ask her out on a real date.  She said, "I'd like to go out with you, but I think you should know that I am divorced and have two children."  Warner simply smiled and said, "No problem.  I'll get a sitter." The night of the date arrived and the sitter didn't. Brenda (just happens we share the same name) called and said, "We can't go out.  The sitter did not show."  Warner said it didn't matter and suggested that they take the kids with them. Brenda objected and told him that her son had been in an accident when he was young and required special care.  Warner again said that it didn't matter.  The couple went out and took the kids with them.  Brenda (now Warner) said that she was truly amazed at how good Kurt was with her children, and especially her son.  When he had to go to the bathroom, Kurt took him and never complained once.

Later in an interview, Brenda is quoted as saying, "He fell in love with the children first and with me later."  Some time later, the two married and Warner has enjoyed a wonderful ride into his new position as quarterback of the Super Bowl team, the Arizona Cardinals.  They now have seven children, the two from Brenda's first marriage and five of their own.

To me, this is a thrilling example of one man making a change in another's life.  

I can't help but root for the good guy to win on Sunday afternoon while the world watches.