Featured Post

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Lessons Learned from Walks on the Beach by Mary Ellis



Do you remember the age-old story about the starfish? As told to me as a child, a young girl was walking along the beach with her grandfather when they happened upon thousands of starfish left behind with the tide. When Grandpa picked up one to fling back into the waves, the girl did the same. One by one another they returned the creatures to the sea before the scorching summer sun killed them. After a while the child peered up and wailed, “This is hopeless! There’re only two of us and thousands of them. What difference can we make?”
The sage grandfather pulled another starfish from the sand, its glistening surface almost completely dry, and flung it as far as he could into the surf. “You’re right. We can’t save them all, but I’m sure we made a difference to that one.”
That story has stayed with me my entire life, the concept returning in various applications: I recycle my water bottle instead of adding to a receptacle overflowing with plastic. I attempt to purchase green cleaning supplies and recycled paper products despite the plethora on the shelves. Americans are continually challenged to do the right thing ecologically…or as Christians. In the modern world it’s tough to walk the narrow path with every thought, word, and deed. How about the Bible’s command to introduce the saving power of Christ to non-believers? With the world’s population only thirty-three percent Christian, how can a humble fiction writer from Ohio have any impact whatsoever? But perhaps like the starfish dying in the sand, it might make all the difference in the world to the few I do reach. Each journey must begin with a single step, whether we’re reducing waste, helping the sick, or introducing a reader to the positive influence of Christian fiction.

Mary Ellis has written twenty-one novels. Her debut book, A Widow’s Hope, was nominated for a 2010 Carol Award. Living in Harmony, won the 2012 Lime Award for Excellence in Amish Fiction while Love Comes to Paradise won the 2013 Lime Award. She is currently writing Secrets of the South Mysteries. Book one, Midnight on the Mississippi, was a finalist for the RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Award, and finalist for Daphne Du Maurier for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. Book two, What Happened on Beale Street, won the Judge a Book by its Cover for Inspirational Romance. Her current book is Sunset in Old Savannah.  www.maryellis.net or www.facebook.com/Mary-Ellis/Author


Please leave Mary a comment along with your email address for a chance to win a signed copy of Sunset in Old Savannah. US and Canada only.

38 comments:

  1. Beverly Duell-MooreApril 5, 2017 at 10:44 AM

    Mary Ellis. these are great books! Oh, how I love this series! I would love to win a copy of "Sunset in Old Savannah"! duellonlysis(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Beverly, for your kind words about my series.

      Delete
  2. Love this series & can't wait to read this one! I have visited Savannah & just love the setting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The setting of Savannah is just perfect for a mystery.

      Delete
  3. I dearly love Savannah. It truly has a charm of it's own. Thank you for the chance to win this book. I gravitate towards reading books set in my favorite areas of the country.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I dearly love Savannah. It truly has a charm of it's own. Thank you for the chance to win this book. I gravitate towards reading books set in my favorite areas of the country.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have never been to Savannah but it is a place I would love to visit. I have read the other books in this series so I would very much like to win this one. Thanks for the opportunity. spotts06(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for leaving a comment. Definitely make a point to visit this city some day.

      Delete
  6. Yes, it's so important to remember that each small step can make a difference! Thank you for sharing this thoughtful post and giveaway opportunity.

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Britney, for stopping by and leaving a comment.

      Delete
  7. Love your books. Would love to read this one.
    jhdwayne(at)peoplepc(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love to read your books Mary, thanks for the reminder about the starfish, we all can do something even if we cannot do "Everything". that should be our thoughts.
    thanks for your giveaway.
    Paula O(kyflo130(at)yahoo(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. None of us can do it all, Paula, but if we all do a little the world becomes a better place.

      Delete
  9. Sharing the gospel can be the same way. A person may not accept the message and we think why waste our time. But some of us are seed planters and we may not see the harvest. Thank you for this chance. Shadowblossom222@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a very good point about not always seeing the harvest after we plant the seed.

      Delete
  10. Thank you, Mary, for your insightful words. I so needed them today as I struggle with the overwhelming feeling of feeling inadequate.

    KatyLee at Cox dot net

    Thank you this great opportunity!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We all feel inadequate for time to time, Katy. Take heart...God will never leave your side.

      Delete
  11. I love the story of the starfish as well. God has placed us in our little part of the world to make a difference in the lives of people around us. Looking forward to reading your book.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have loved reading this series and would love a chance to win the next book centraleast2 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you're enjoying the series. Good luck in the drawing.

      Delete
  13. Met my husband in Savannah. Would really like to win this!
    Charlyn515 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a romantic town to meet your husband in! Good luck in the drawing.

      Delete
  14. I love reading your stories.
    Thereadmaster@me.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Virginia, for dropping by and leaving me a comment.

      Delete
  15. I had read before the story of the starfish but it's a great reminder. Each author I read reaches me in a different way. I've always enjoyed reading but especially now when there's so much "trash" on TV. About the only show I watch while I crochet is The Andy Griffith Show.
    Thank you for the chance to win your book!
    tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you're a devoted reader! Me, too! And I agree about TV.

      Delete
  16. Enjoy reading stories set in the South. Would love to win the book. Betsylu2@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for reminding me of the tale of the starfish. The power of one is something we forget when we are faced with a task that seems unending! Thanks also for a chance to win.
    Blessings!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Blessings on you, too, Connie. And good luck in the drawing.

      Delete
  18. I love the tale of the starfish. Thank you for the reminder that we can make a difference in someone's life. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of your book.
    susanmsj at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is such a great reminder to put our best foot forward as Christians because we don't know how many lives we may touch. Congrats on your latest release Mary and thanks for the chance to win a copy.
    momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Mary, thank you for sharing the starfish story. It really blessed me. Congrats on your newest release and thank you for the chance to win a copy.
    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I heard the starfish story before and I think it's rather inspiring! If we can only make an impact on ONE persons life, than we've accomplished something :-)

    Thanks for the reminder and the giveaway! The cable car on the cover reminds me of our trip to San Fransisco in October, it's the exact color of the one we took to Pier 39 :-) Good memories!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Story of the starfish is really inspiring. We can talk bout Jesus one on one , we just have to be willing to go where He leads! Thanks for the chance to win! paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet.

    ReplyDelete
  23. That's. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet Without the dot at the end after net.

    ReplyDelete