THE FISH

On April 25th, I posted about the extra blessings God showered me with during Holy Week. What I gathered from it was that IF YOU TRY HARD to do something pleasing to the Lord, NO MATTER HOW LITTLE IT MAY BE, the Lord will add more blessings to what you already have. Sunday night (May 1st), God gave me another "extra" blessing thru a customer. He asked me if I want "FISH"! He said he just went fishing and caught some brim. I said "why are you giving me your fish? (For I know how hard it is to fish. It involves time, patience and senses plus God's grace in order to catch even one. I know this for a fact, for though I am not really into fishing. John and the kids are, even my 4-yr-old Jonei. Peter is just waiting for the go-signal from his dad when he could finally hold a fishing pole in his hands.) "I don't know if I will have the time to get to them tonight or tomorrow", he replied, though he bought ice for them already. So I accepted.

I regret that I did not ask the man's name; but I prayed for him, and thanked him and God for his kindness. I know God is telling me something by the unexpected gift of fish. The insights I gleaned from it are as follows:
1. That I am a fish! For I was born in that sign - pisces
2. God knows I miss fresh fish so much for my geography puts me in an area where you can not buy fresh fish, just frozen. God blessed the Philippines with abundant supply of fish and it is readily available in the market. Here, it is very scarce. Plus, those who offer them fresh like Publix or Winn Dixie offer them fillet already. I want my fish fresh from the sea or lake, fried crunchy, with bones and head and everything.
3. I was reminded of the lesson that in order to have something good, you have to work hard for it. I got poked in the finger, my hair and the sink was covered with fish scales, plus the cleaning of the mess afterward.
4. That God supplies all our needs, even our wants, even though we don't ask for them.
5. That God will take care of everything. As I cannot leave my post that night, the man pulled his truck and boat back to where my van was parked at the back of the building and iced the fish, put them in the bag for me, and placed it at the trunk of my van. Moreover, he also came back to shut the hood of the trunk for me. He even reminded me not to forget to take the fish out of there.
6. God makes a way. If I did not stay a while to listen to God's message in the radio, I would have forgotten the fish, for it was automatic to me that when I pulled in to park, I grab my keys and purse and leave, for it was about 15 feet before I reach the automatic light to illuminate my path to the house at night. Most of the time, I would remember what else I have that needs to be taken out the van the following morning. That night, however, He reminded me I have something important to take out.
7. It is a testimony to my husband John. When I told him about it that night, as usual, 1st thing he asked was “And why would a man you do not know give you a fish?” with doubts in his mind. God made me answer this: “Because, John, if you are trying to walk with God, He will shower you with many blessings even if you do not ask for them”. That silenced him.
8. God reminded me of some other extra blessings He has given me through my bosses - fresh lettuce, greens and tomatoes in 3 separate occasions.
9. That God satisfies our mouth with good things so that our youth will be renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:5) Those fish were so good, I think I over-ate. The 2 babies loved them and John had a ball eating them too, that we did not have anything left for the kids who went to school.

I know in my heart God is telling me something more important than all of these and I thank and praise Him and bless His Holy Name for what it is.

Jeremiah 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. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD….

--that in all things God may be glorified--5/03/11