Life Through the Lens: Love in a fish tin

This post was contributed by Kevin Schrapel, and is the author’s personal opinion.

The rose, resplendent in a crystal vase, overlooking a nondescript little succulent in a used fish tin, gave a condescending “hmph” and, in rather a snide way, commented: “Planted into a fish-tin, and a used one at that – poor thing!”

“Not much of a future, I’m afraid.”

The little succulent wiggled his roots in the potting mix as the veins in his leaves pulsed with an extra flush of chlorophyll.

He thought to himself, “Used fish-tin indeed!”

“You may look down on me, but I know something you don’t: I am loved.

“She specially blended this potting mix.

“I was carefully chosen and plucked from my parent plant.

“She knows that as I grow, I will reproduce more of myself.

“She carefully made a hole in the mix with a special stick, just the correct size for my tony, delicate roots.

“Every day I get sprayed with the right amount of misted water, so the mix is not washed away from my roots.

“I start the day off outside in the cool fresh air, and if the weather starts to get too hot, I’m moved inside onto the windowsill where I can still soak up the sunshine.

“Oh, and about the used fish tin: it is exactly the right size for now, plus I get some growing nutrients from the tin; and you should see the fancy, colourful pot that is ready for me as I grow bigger.

“I will be put in that pot, wrapped with a gold ribbon, and given to a friend as a special gift.

“As I said, I am loved.”

Many in our community are like the little plant in the used fish tin.

They can’t afford, or maybe are not interested in, designer clothes; they don’t have the right friends and are not part of the “in” crowd; or for many other reasons they are told they are useless.

They are looked down on and ridiculed because they may not come up to standards set by others.

If you ever feel looked down on, remember the little succulent in the used fish tin that was loved and held a special place in the heart of one who cared.

But more importantly, remember the God of the Bible tells us he loves us.

He loves you and me, not because we might wear designer clothes, drive a fancy car, hold an important job, be great at sport, be clever intellectually or have lots of friends, real or online.

He doesn’t count how many “likes” you have.

He says in Lamentations 3:22-23: “Certainly the faithful love of the Lord hasn’t ended; certainly God’s compassion isn’t through!”

“They are renewed every morning.

“Great is your faithfulness.”

What does this mean for you and me?

God’s heart is brimming full of love, and we can depend on him to love us just as much every day.

Enjoy his love today, this week and forever.

Cheers, and God bless.

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