“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus” (Romans 15:5).
Emily wasn’t a close friend, but a friend none-the-less. One day when I was with her, she told me about brain tumors that had been discovered, all this following recent uterine cancer and breast cancer years before. On several occasions, I would try to talk with her about her faith and always let her know that she was in my prayers. She seemed appreciative and gave me indication that she and God also had their own chats. One week my phone rang on a Sunday morning. Emily was calling to tell me that she had been admitted to a regional hospital after having increased symptoms that the tumors were affecting her normal functioning. As a close to our conversation, I said, “I want to make sure you know that every nurse who is caring for you, every doctor who is treating you, every test that is being run on you – God works through all of those.” Before she hung up, she said, “Thank you for encouraging me.” That was my last conversation with Emily.
It’s been an interesting reflection as I think back on Emily’s use of the word “encouraging.” There are so many other phrases she could have used like “giving me hope” or “cheering me up.” Whatever the case, I wish I could have done more. Hopefully what I did say in our conversations made a difference. It reminds me of the adaptation of The Starfish Story by Loren Eiseley that reads something like this:
“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 man and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man 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 man paused, looked up, and replied, ‘Throwing starfish into the ocean.’ ‘I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?’ inquired the somewhat startled wise man. To this, the young man 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 man, 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 man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, ‘It made a difference for that one.’”
As Christians, we also have the power to make a difference one person at a time through our words and actions. We do so “that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ” (Colossians 2:2). As Believers we must pray for wisdom as we intersect with folks along our journey. If you honor others as fellow creatures of God, you will temper your actions and words remembering that you’re the only Jesus some may ever see. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Special is that person who will take the time to encourage a fellow sojourner. So, go forth, my friend, and make a difference for that one.
REFLECTIONS: For a more extensive reading and visual of The Starfish Story, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03aOXRSlcXo As you think about the message of the story, in what way might you make a difference in your small part of the world? Who in your life needs to hear your words or experience your acts of encouragement?
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