Well, several months ago I decided that I would need to get rid of my son’s fish tank. It was large, heavy and required a lot of maintenance that neither I nor my son could manage any longer. Over time we’ve had quite a few different sea creatures to dwell in our little tank including a few snails, a couple of algae eaters and of course a variety of fish. Most of the time when selecting our fish, we’d opt for tetras because they were considered “safe community fish” that were appropriate for our fresh water tank. Over time we’d have a few tragedies here and there… a few fish sucked up by the oxygen tube… a few nipped at by other fish (“imposters” who weren’t really “safe community fish” at ALL) and of course those who simply passed away due to other “natural causes” (not sure if children dumping candy, crayons and other foreign substances constitutes “natural causes” but we’ll just lump it all together as such.) When it came time for us to get rid of the tank, we were actually down to only one fish, a small silver tetra with a hint of orange on top. Believe it or not, I considered flushing him down the toilet but my heart just wouldn’t let me do it. So I found him a new home (my glass bowl with the floating candle filled with purple beads that formerly served as a centerpiece on the dining room table.) I sacrificed and allowed Rawc-e to occupy my decorative bowl because I sorta figured that he might not be around much longer. After all, I did just take him out of his comfortable surroundings and without the daily oxygen that flowed in and throughout the tank, I knew that it would only be a matter of time anyway so I just couldn’t flush him. Truthfully, I didn’t think he would last a whole day because I’m pretty sure that I hadn’t allowed the water to settle all the way to room temperature before I plopped the little guy into the bowl with a tablespoon. To make a long story short, a week went by, then a month and now it’s going on probably six months now and my boy Rawc-e still lives!!! Through the temperature changes (one time I lit the candle in the bowl, not realizing that this might make it just a teeny bit hot in there for him! Honestly, I wasn’t trying to kill him… God knows my heart!), the lack of oxygen, lack of companions and even lack of food at times (honestly, I HAVE forget to feed him from time to time)… his tenacity has truly inspired me. A true fighter indeed, willing to fight for his life and say “I will live and NOT die” is why he is called “Rawc-E”. When I think about the adversity that my little fish friend has endured, I consider my own life, the changes, the times I’ve been sick, the times I’ve been laid-off, periods of employment, the times I’ve been taken out of the comfort and confines of my own “fish bowl” and even the climate changes in my own personal and spiritual life and I just thank God that through it all, I’m still here to tell my story. I’m still alive to proclaim the victory and I’m still standing to see another day. So if my little “Rawc-E” can press toward victory with such a humble fate as to die in a little fish bowl and be flushed down the toilet, then certainly I can press forward thru my trials, tribulations and tests.
Joy & Blessings!!!
Isaiah 43: 1-3 “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name: You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior”
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