Cantwell: Supporting roles created by God

I would like to share a fish story with you.

link Pat Cantwell

On my last birthday, my daughter and grandson, Tell, were shopping with me.

Tell, 4, was just learning about gift giving. I had told him previously, when choosing a gift for his mom, it should be something that she needed or that she would like.

Tell rushed off to the fish department. I immediately burst out to his mom that I did not want a fish. In my defense all I could imagine was the dirty tank.

My daughter soon returned and said Tell really wanted me to have a Beta fish and had chosen a red one, his favorite color.

As I was dragging myself to the fish department, Tell ran up and excitedly told me, “GiGi, I found you a fish.”

I answered gently with all the self control that I possessed, “GiGi doesn’t want a fish.” Tell, with his head bowed down, answered, “But you said that I could pick it out. GiGi, you need a fish. I think his name should be Mr. Joe.”

The moral of this story is that Tell was right. Mr. Joe and I needed each other. Now, Mr. Joe races to me as I talk to him like a baby and pick out the flake of fish food that he likes best. OK, so I spoil him.

I was blind to the innate value of fish, birds and animals but now, through the eyes of my grandson, I can see. The value is that man shares a unique, mutually supportive relationship with them.

These species are a higher creation than the inanimate earth. In Genesis chapter one the Lord spent two complete days creating fish, birds and land animals and only one day creating Adam and Eve.

In the movie “Dolphin Tale” and in a recent PBS special, men had created a prosthetic tail for a dolphin, a leg for a horse, a beak for a swan, two legs for a pig etc. It was amazing that as soon as the prosthetics were applied these animals took off swimming, running like crazy, but it didn’t stop there.

Man’s ingenuity had healed each animal and in turn each animal responded in joy that you could actually see. This in turn gave hope to disabled children and wounded soldiers for their own healing.

Man supporting animal, animal supporting man is the cycle of life created by God.

Pat Cantwell writes about faith for the Portales News-Tribune. Contact her at:

[email protected]