Henry David Thoreau was a bit different from others, and he explained his difference by saying that he was walking to the beat of a different drummer.  Today, I want to challenge you to make a difference to someone. 

There is a story about an old man walking along the beach.  He noticed a young man who was picking up starfish that had washed ashore, and was throwing them back into the ocean.  The old man asked why he was doing this.  The young man replied that the starfish would die if left to the heat of the sun.  To live they must get back to the water.  The old man then commented that there were many starfish scattered along the beach, it would be impossible to throw them all back.  'What difference can you make when there are so many?" the old man asked.  The young man held one in his hand, looked at it, flung it back into the ocean and said, "It will make a lot of difference to this one."

Friend of Dial Hope, the world is big and full of people, but somewhere there is one in need of your care, your encouragement, your love, your affirmation.  For that one person you can make a difference in the world.  Remember the words of scripture, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  (Philippians 4:13).

Prayer: O God of all precious things, including starfish and people, who hears our pain even when tears block our words, create in us a heart of laughter and hope.  May your spirit of comfort strengthen those who are grieving, those who live with enormous pressure and stress.  And yet, we know your comforting spirit does not feed an empty stomach, nor insist on the end of war and fighting, nor free the politically oppressed.  Only your spirit of love which comforts and changes the hearts of people everywhere can do that.  So bring us comfort where we need comfort, but where we need justice let there be love.  Thank you, God, for sending this love into all the world so that the world will not perish in fear but live in faith.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.