Thought for the Day - Friday 6 November

Thought for the Day – Friday 6th November ‘Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.’ (John 21: 10-13) I was reading recently that we should develop a taste for fish! I thought to myself well, we are always being told to eat more fish, isn’t it supposed to be at least twice a week that we eat some to keep ourselves and our heart fit and healthy? I have to say I am not a great fish-lover and I certainly don’t like to handle fish all those scales and staring eyes and the feel of their slippery skin make me squirm and wince but I do try and eat some at least twice a week -- even if it is only fish fingers! However, the writer encouraging us to develop a taste for fish was not actually talking about us eating them – he was talking more about us watching them. Watching them, you ask? Yes! Watching them! He was talking of the relaxing feeling it gives you to watch fish swimming slowly around and of the fact that they breathe very slowly too as they go. He felt to watch fish was as therapeutic to us as watching a wonderful calming seascape! I have to say I think I agree with him – having had many recent visits to a well-known Garden Centre with an aquatic section just to gaze on the fish with our youngest grandchild certainly affirms for me that there is something really relaxing about just watching colourful fish swim around in front of you at their leisurely pace, mouth opening and closing in that fishy fashion. It is calming, after all is that not why doctors and dentists often have fish tanks in their waiting rooms to help keep us calm as we wait. Perhaps that is what Jesus is trying to do here as he appears to the disciples after his resurrection – trying to keep them calm – stop them fretting - getting them to return to what they know best and then sharing in a very familiar meal of bread and fish together on the beach. You may not have a fish tank in your living room on which to gaze when you feel anxious or stressed but you can take time to just sit down and imagine lots of colourful fish swimming around in front of you, take time to slow your breathing in line with theirs and if you can do that I am sure it will be relaxing and calming for you too. Prayer Loving God, May we make time to just wonder, to dwell on the quiet things of life, the rising and setting of the sun and the moon, a serene stream, the sweet-scent of dusk, the gentle rain, that hush before the dawn chorus begins, the wind as it blows gently through the trees, the fish as they swim slowly to and fro each of which can fill our souls with deep contentment and peace. Then may we in the midst of our calm take time to wonder at what your love might make possible in us. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen. Friday Fives: Okay, here are your fives for today! Name: 1. Five things you find calming. 2. Five places you might go which bring you wonder. 3. Five fishy things you like to eat – if you do! 4. Five reasons you won’t eat certain foods! 5. Take five full minutes to slow your breathing and think on those fishy friends swimming around in their tank slowly gulping away – how did it make you feel?