February 21
2018
Cruising, Carpets and Red Fish!
A blog from our cruise 🙂
Posted a little late because of lack of internet connection.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:35
So, here we are again!
Day 4 of our cruise already
What a wonderful time we are having!
Today we have encountered rough seas
So everything is a little topsy turvey
and off balance
The decks are closed off
So a great day to be contemplative.
So here we are
tucked up in a window seat
watching the waves
What to share
What to share
Let’s start with the carpet!
On day 1 as I walked
down the hallway to our stateroom
I looked down at the carpet.
It took a few minutes
to catch on to what I was seeing.
Colourful fish in little schools
swimming up the hallway.
It was cute but I didn’t think much more of it.
But the more times we walked the hall
the more times I took notice.
And then I noticed it –
In among the shades of blue and green fishes,
there were random
red fishes.
How clever, I thought.
And then a few trips later…
An AHA moment!
Not only did the red fishes stand out
because of their colour
But when you look closely
you will see….
The red fishes are going in the opposite direction.
Interesting and clever
I thought.
And now, after several days
when I look down
it is the red fishes going in the
opposite direction
that pop out at once!
And the more I walk down the hallways
The more it causes me to think –
Where are we today?
Are we muting our colour
and changing our direction
to go with the flow?
Or not?
*****
We are called to be different and unique.
Jesus said He was “the way, the truth and the life”
The WAY determines your direction.
Often times, as Christians
we find ourselves just going with the flow-
the good, the bad and the ugly.
Don’t ruffle feathers
Don’t make waves
Follow along.
*****
“we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works”
We were created
That makes us unique and for a purpose.
Sometimes we allow others’
lack of vision and/or
lack of understanding/passion about our purpose,
to sidetrack what God has for us.
*****
“all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another”
Does your light shine
bright enough so you will
stand out?
Or is your light muted to
blend in with those
around you?
Dimmed so as to not stand out
or rock the boat?
*****
These red fishes are doing all the right things:
they are headed in a direction –
despite where everyone else is headed-
based on their purpose that is to be filled –
and therefore they don’t mind
moving against the flow.
And they shine bright – red,
colourful, unique, different.
They pop out!
Directionally and by their light.
Where do you find yourself today?
What is your purpose?
And what direction do you need to start moving in –
despite the fact that is seems as though others are
pressing you to move with them?
How strong do you shine?
When people meet you, do they
go away feeling better for it?
Today,
I have made a determination
to be a red fish!
Moving with Jesus
in the direction where my purpose
will be revealed and realized!
To walk with Jesus inside
so that when people meet me
they won’t see me
but rather
the light and love of
Jesus shining through!
Go out and be a red fish!!!!
Laurie, as I read this and listened for my AHA moment and that moment took me in the direction of pondering if those red fish on the carpet led you to the bow or stern of the cruise ship and if they did on each isle/deck where they were lain, then whoever used the fish symbol in creating the carpet for the purpose of customizing the design especially for its use on a ship was consciously allowing spirit within to direct his attention to similar details that you were given as a Christian (fish symbol appropriate to Christian culture identity). Navigational clues in life being used to direct us to move forward and to be identified in Christ Jesus and Christ in us.
I am wondering if in your minds eye, you can step back in your memory and answer my pondering of "were those few red fish swimming toward the bow of the ship each time you had a revelation further into these AHA moments of your bon voyage journey?
Thank you for sharing this and for being a Beacon of The Light and Love of Jesus shining through as a guide for others to observe.
Laurie, as I read this and listened for my AHA moment and that moment took me in the direction of pondering if those red fish on the carpet led you to the bow or stern of the cruise ship and if they did on each isle/deck where they were lain, then whoever used the fish symbol in creating the carpet for the purpose of customizing the design especially for its use on a ship was consciously allowing spirit within to direct his attention to similar details that you were given as a Christian (fish symbol appropriate to Christian culture identity). Navigational clues in life being used to direct us to move forward and to be identified in Christ Jesus and Christ in us.
I am wondering if in your minds eye, you can step back in your memory and answer my pondering of "were those few red fish swimming toward the bow of the ship each time you had a revelation further into these AHA moments of your bon voyage journey?
Thank you for sharing this and for being a Beacon of The Light and Love of Jesus shining through as a guide for others to observe.
Hi Laurie: Going against the flow is not popular!But beautiful in Christ. Blessings, Anne
Hi Laurie: Going against the flow is not popular!But beautiful in Christ. Blessings, Anne
Laurie, you have inspired and touched my heart since our paths crossed in 2013. You have always been to me…the most bright and beautilful red fish! Your blog and intended message was not only perfectly timed for me;it was deeply felt. God bless and thank you xo