The Walk Free Foundation estimates there are 3000 slaves in Australia. This might seem small compared to the 30 million slaves world-wide, but honestly, I think one slave is one slave too many. As I recently investigated the state of slavery in my own nation, I read an article by the Sunday Morning Herald that highlighted this hidden tragedy within Australia’s boarders. Yet, another article renewed my hope that change is happening all around us and lives are being restored in countries all across the earth, including my own. There will always be those who fight injustice whether it’s considered a small or big problem.
I am reminded of this little story below and I think of ‘the one’ who is still waiting to experience a ‘huge difference’…
The Boy and the Starfish
A man was walking along a deserted beach at sunset. As he walked he could see a young boy in the distance, as he drew nearer he noticed that the boy kept bending down, picking something up and throwing it into the water. Time and again he kept hurling things into the ocean.
As the man approached even closer, he was able to see that the boy was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach and, one at a time he was throwing them back into the water.
The man asked the boy what he was doing, the boy replied,”I am throwing these washed up starfish back into the ocean, or else they will die through lack of oxygen. “But”, said the man, “You can’t possibly save them all, there are thousands on this beach, and this must be happening on hundreds of beaches along the coast. You can’t possibly make a difference.” The boy looked down, frowning for a moment; then bent down to pick up another starfish, smiling as he threw it back into the sea. He replied,
“I made a huge difference to that one!”
~Author Unknown~
I too can do something for at least one. Maybe that’s volunteering my time, donating to a cause, supporting those who are on the ‘front lines’ or making other people aware of what’s going on. I have hope in my heart despite the odds that we will all eventually believe that one slave is too many.
Love Jess xxoo
Love Jess xxoo 