Fishy Folly

My tropical fish are surprisingly stupid. Now if one seeks intelligent company from the animal world, the fish department of the local pet shop is not high up the list of places to visit. Border Collies, cats, parrots- all show signs of cleverness, sometimes exceeding their owners’. So why is my aquarium’s level of stupidity higher than average?

When it is feeding time, I open the lid, and put my fingers in. The fish caress the finger and tenderly nibble. When I drop in the flakes they allow me to gently stroke them. So far, so good.

30 minutes later, should I re-enter the room or get out of my seat, the larger fish will panic and swim headfirst into the tank’s side. They would knock themselves out in their attempt to escape from the dangerous human who only half an hour ago was feeding them and massaging their fins. 

When God gives us good things, what obedient and grateful children are we! When His providence determines the unexpected or seemingly undesirable, how quick we are to feel aggrieved, unloved and uncared for.

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

-Matthew 6:26

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust Him for His grace;

Behind a frowning providence

He hides a smiling face.

-William Cowper.