Fish Bowl of Life

A neighbor came to our house bearing two fish and a fishbowl the other day and asked if we would take care of it while she was out of town for an unexpected funeral. We kept the little "Nemo's" for a whole week and didn't kill them. I was so proud. I suppose I got a little full of myself, because I told my hubby that we ought to get the kids some fish. I need a few more mouths to feed and I love to clean...HA HA HA! Anyway, we took the plunge! Three fish and a cute little bowl later, we are now proud parents to Spot, Pretty and Rosey. These little fish have been living the good life. Yesterday, I came into the kitchen and found the twins with two kitchen chairs pulled up to the kitchen counter watching the fish. They tried to blow on the water. Which I tried to explain to them that the little fishes don't really like that. Then Will tried to put his hand in the water. I told him that they really don't like that either. Anyway, I gave them both two of my three quarters empty water bottles to get their mind off the sweet little fishes. I have gotten in a very bad habit of buying my water, but at least it is a little different than tap water. It has carbonation and flavor. I tell you that to finish my little story. Unfortunately, I left the room at this point. Can you imagine what those little guys decided to do? Well, knowing how sweet those little angels are, I know that you are not thinking any type of devious thoughts! You should! I did not even think about the water bottles when I found poor little Spot dead in the bottom of the fish bowl. We had a nice toilet bowl funeral and Ty said some nice words about him. It wasn't until my hubby and I were getting ready for bed and noticed that little Rosey had joined Spot in fish heaven that I remembered that the boys were hanging their bottles of water over the bowl earlier. As I was cleaning up the kitchen (at 10:30 pm), I noticed two empty bottles next to the fish bowl. It didn't take a rocket scientist to realize those two had emptied their bottles into the fish bowl. Poor little fish. At least Pretty is still with us. I suppose I will be going to buy some more little fish this weekend. I think I will buy the Fancy Guppy type which is the same species as Pretty. She seems more hearty! Those poor other fish though. It is a shame I did not walk in sooner and catch those little boys in the act. I would have been able to save Rosey and Spot. It wasn't meant for me to catch the twins though. But just like this situation, we have many things that happen in our lives that seem to put us in a spot where we really want to ask, what if? or why? But this is when we have to remind ourselves of God's great and mighty plan for our lives as well as everyone around us...Jer 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." How easy is it to lose site of the big plan. Think of how Jacob (Joseph's dad) and his sons felt when there was such a great famine. (Genesis 42-43) They had no relief in site. Jacob had already lost one son at this time, now he was facing having to send his other son, Benjamin to Egypt. (He didn't send Benjamin the first trip to Egypt because he was scared that some form of harm would come upon him). Jacob and his sons could not see God's overall plan to reunite them with Joseph as well as being fed from Egypt's storehouses. So I am here to encourage you to try to look beyond the little picture and look to God's big plan. What you do not understand or can not see, trust God. And do not worry. For we see that so often as a momma. Remember Matthew 6:34 " Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. I will be praying for you...