Starfish - A Symbol of Hope

The ever-present digital clock in the lobby winks at a boy and a girl as the minutes flip by. Standing there discussing conflict styles, family backgrounds, stories from the past, social justice and who knows what more. Just two students on a Christian liberal arts college campus talking about life and sharing story on a Thursday night. Few of the passing students give them a second glance as they stand in front of the lobby doors. Eventually, the girl asks, "Why? Why should I care? What difference does it make?" Frustration and questions bubble from her lips. She doesn't think that it isn't important to try to make wrongs right but wonders at her apathy towards working for justice in the world. She doesn't feel strongly about it and is often ashamed that she does not care much about this or that prevalent social issue in today's global society. "I am just one person and this issue will not likely be solved in my lifetime nor perhaps in many to come. What is the point of my trying to do something about it now?" She flings the question into the air, not expecting an answer. But the boy gazes at her and asks simply, "have you heard of the starfish story?" She responds with a puzzled look, "I don't think so". So he proceeds to tell her.

"There is this beach with hundreds of thousands of starfish lying on it. They are as far down the beach as the eye can see and they are going to die because they are stranded from the water.
A little boy is standing on the edge of the shore and throwing the starfish back into the ocean, one by one. An old man sees the boy doing this and says, "Why are you wasting your time throwing them back into the sea? There are thousands of starfish, you will never save them all. You can't make a difference." And the boy, while continuing to throw the starfish into the ocean, says, "Well, mister, tell that to that one and that one and that one."" The real boy's voice sinks lower and trails off as the meaning sinks in. The girl pauses to reflect on the short, simple story loaded with significance in regards to her questions. The boy and girl chat a little longer and then part ways to their separate dorms.

But the starfish story lingers in the girl's mind. She remembers it as she grieves over the violence in the world. She thinks of it as she considers issues of race and ethnicity that she doesn't understand and will have to deal with for the rest of her life. She brings it to mind when her friend is deeply hurting because of circumstances beyond her control. The starfish has become a symbol of hope to this girl. She retells it to her friends and family as she continues to struggle with the brokenness of the world. It is not the answer to all of life's problems and questions but the starfish story is a light in the darkness that is constantly crowding around her. The girl often feels like giving up, like not caring, like not wanting to go deeper because it seems futile. Yet she remembers the starfish. She has embraced the story as a reminder not to despair but that in her own small way, she can and will make a difference. Perhaps just through a conversation or two, touching a life here or there, asking difficult questions and possibly impacting who she will in her little circle of friends and acquaintances. She will not likely make a great splash in life, however, that doesn't mean that she should stop fighting or caring about what she knows is right. She clings to the hope that if she remains faithful and perseveres, then very slowly, she will help throw the starfish back into the ocean, one at a time, so that they may live.