Star Throwers
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
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Star Throwers
I will start with the end of a familiar tale.
… and the young boy responded to the man by bending over to pick up one more star fish, among the thousands that had washed ashore. Throwing it back into the sea, he said, “I made a difference to that one.”
There are countless numbers of older teens that have washed ashore, on the streets of our local communities, across the country. Some were recently released from a foster system, some from jail, and some from parents or guardians who were simply done with them. Technically, these children are adults ... or close enough to it, that we say, “Suck up, and find your own way.” Yet, in many ways they are still children who are lost, as are the bridges that would lead them to safety. Without someone stepping into their life, who actively and sincerely cares, they usually wind up sharing a trailer or apartment with someone who will promise them “freedom” while they, themselves, are prisoners to their own wrong choices and habits. (2 Peter 2:19) Here they learn survival by the consumption or sale of drugs or by selling themselves for another pack of cigarettes and by abusing, endlessly, every good intention of the welfare system.
Some of these children may be wholly to blame for their desperate plight, while others are clearly the victim. Either way, the all-important question is equally relevant ... How can we save them and, at the same time, relieve our society of the probable burden they might ultimately pose?
It is profoundly remarkable how most of these children respond to another chance and a fresh start in a home that truly cares and works to get them on a path to healthy independence. It is something that many of them have never really experienced in their lifetime. It may be something that a volunteer home does for a few days, a few weeks, or a few months. I believe there are few things a person can do, where the impact on an individual life can be so measurable, significant and rewarding. Needless to say, none of this is without sacrifice, but what worthwhile endeavor is? It is hard to imagine that there are not 20 homes or families in the Warsaw community that would not want the chance to be a life changer in this way.
Shortly before Jesus left his earthly ministry he reminded us that he would be visiting us in the form of people who are mostly helpless. (Mat. 25: 34-40) How often we see him on the street or at our doorstep and do not recognize him? Life is short. Let us not overlook the opportunities that wash ashore, along our way. And may the footprints that we leave in the sand, reveal a break in stride, where we have paused long enough to bend over, pick up a star fish, and throw it back into the sea.
Ron and Rebecca Ogden
Winona Lake, via e-mail
[email protected][[In-content Ad]]
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Star Throwers
I will start with the end of a familiar tale.
… and the young boy responded to the man by bending over to pick up one more star fish, among the thousands that had washed ashore. Throwing it back into the sea, he said, “I made a difference to that one.”
There are countless numbers of older teens that have washed ashore, on the streets of our local communities, across the country. Some were recently released from a foster system, some from jail, and some from parents or guardians who were simply done with them. Technically, these children are adults ... or close enough to it, that we say, “Suck up, and find your own way.” Yet, in many ways they are still children who are lost, as are the bridges that would lead them to safety. Without someone stepping into their life, who actively and sincerely cares, they usually wind up sharing a trailer or apartment with someone who will promise them “freedom” while they, themselves, are prisoners to their own wrong choices and habits. (2 Peter 2:19) Here they learn survival by the consumption or sale of drugs or by selling themselves for another pack of cigarettes and by abusing, endlessly, every good intention of the welfare system.
Some of these children may be wholly to blame for their desperate plight, while others are clearly the victim. Either way, the all-important question is equally relevant ... How can we save them and, at the same time, relieve our society of the probable burden they might ultimately pose?
It is profoundly remarkable how most of these children respond to another chance and a fresh start in a home that truly cares and works to get them on a path to healthy independence. It is something that many of them have never really experienced in their lifetime. It may be something that a volunteer home does for a few days, a few weeks, or a few months. I believe there are few things a person can do, where the impact on an individual life can be so measurable, significant and rewarding. Needless to say, none of this is without sacrifice, but what worthwhile endeavor is? It is hard to imagine that there are not 20 homes or families in the Warsaw community that would not want the chance to be a life changer in this way.
Shortly before Jesus left his earthly ministry he reminded us that he would be visiting us in the form of people who are mostly helpless. (Mat. 25: 34-40) How often we see him on the street or at our doorstep and do not recognize him? Life is short. Let us not overlook the opportunities that wash ashore, along our way. And may the footprints that we leave in the sand, reveal a break in stride, where we have paused long enough to bend over, pick up a star fish, and throw it back into the sea.
Ron and Rebecca Ogden
Winona Lake, via e-mail
[email protected][[In-content Ad]]
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