Fish in a stream aren't the only things in nature that can be looked at in more than one way. We all know what a difference it can make when scenery is viewed at sunset as opposed to sundown, in bright sunlight or shrouded in fog, snow-covered, frozen in ice, clothed in brilliant hues, or barren and devoid of any external or superfluous trappings. (I know I look a lot better in soft lights than I do in the harsh sunlight--or, Heaven forbid, first thing in the morning.) Just taking a closer look, via my zoom lens, at the same fish (or one who looks remarkably like him) in this second photo gives me a greater appreciation of his coloring and the intricacies with which God created him. Sometimes, all it takes is a second look at something we've seen a hundred times before to remind us that there is beauty in all that God gave us. It might require more than the cursory glance; we might even have to dig a little to find it. And granted, I wouldn't want to cuddle with this fish, but he's still a shiny reminder that our Heavenly Father took great care in all that He created.
To make him (or her) all the more amazing, he and his co-swimmers were doing their darndest to climb a ladder, spawn, and then die--all in the name of continuing the species. Seems like a lot of trouble to go to on the chance he'll make it without getting caught by a fisherman or snagged by a hungry bear. But over and over again, we witnessed their heroic leaps to reach their final destination. Death was inevitable, but life would be the ultimate outcome. Isn't that part of the beauty of God's plan? This slippery guy, in his own slick, silvery way, is a reminder that even though the journey inevitably ends in death, life will result. Talk about a silver lining! Sound familiar?
See you along the trail...
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