A Living Parable for the Body of Christ

Written By Tracy Shepard and Jesus

MR. FISH AND MR. TURTLE - "THE ODD COUPLE"

-- A Living Parable for the Body of Christ

Written By Tracy Shepard and Jesus

Tracy Shepard's email: wtfi@earthlink.net Fall, 1999

We have some very interesting pets. We have a lovely dog who looks like the taco bell dog on TV. His name is aptly, Mr. Taco. He is a great dog and I am teaching him lots of tricks.

Then we have two parakeets. The oldest one is a male bird who is eleven years old. Just recently I bought him a little female mate. She is less than a year old. They love each other and she has instilled new life into the heart of that "old bird".

But our most interesting pets of all live in our aquarium. They are fondly known as Mr. Fish and Mr. Turtle. We refer to them as "The Odd Couple". They are odd, but they are more fun to watch than a barrel of monkeys!

We originally had a tank full of fish and other interesting aquatic animals, but one day when we went on vacation and it got real hot, we lost everyone. So we were a little frustrated and decided to get some aquatic pets that would live a long time.

So Steve and I went down to the pet store and looked for some hearty fish for our tank. As we were walking through the store, we spotted a turtle in a tank. He looked really cute and Steve and I both had pet turtles when we were young, so we asked the owner if they were hard to take care of.

The owner explained that this turtle was eight years old and was quite easy to take care of and a lot of fun. He just so happened to have some for sale. So we went over to that tank and chose the most playful turtle who was about half the size of the owners turtle.

Then we found another hardy looking fish. It is called a plectasaurus and they are sucker fish who get very large. He looked like a good candidate for long life, so we choose him too.

We have now had Mr. Turtle and Mr. Fish for one and a half years and they are going strong! Let me tell you why we call them "The Odd Couple".

They love to play together. About a year ago, they found out that they could communicate with one another. The fish would swoop down and hit the turtle with his tail and the turtle would bounce around loving it. Then the fish would come and clean the turtle's shell with his mouth. The two became quick friends and now they play many times during the day each day. It is so funny to watch how they really communicate with each other and you can tell that they are playing together. Sometimes Mr. Turtle climbs on Mr. Fish's back. It is hysterical to watch! We have been very entertained with this pair.

IT'S ABOUT GOD'S PEOPLE

Isn't that how people should be? Doesn't God tell us to love one another? Doesn't he say in Galatians 5:28, that there is neither Greek nor Jew, slave nor free, male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus. What does that mean?

In my eyes, it means that there should be no prejudice on this entire earth. It means that God created ALL MEN AND WOMEN as one in His eyes IN HIS IMAGE!

IT'S ABOUT ALL NATIONS!

Just think, if men and women from all nations could get together and get to know each other how much fun they could have! Just like Mr. Fish and Mr. Turtle! Those two are different than night and day and yet they love each other and have more fun! They would be lost if they didn't have each other.

IT'S ABOUT ALL CULTURES

Make it your goal to try to get to know someone from another culture or land different from yours. See how much more rewarding your life will become.

IT'S ABOUT ALL COLORS AND ALL DENOMINATIONS

I sing with a gospel choir lead by Andrae Crouch. We are a variety of colors. So what! When we make music to the Lord, He is so happy, He is right in the midst of us where ever we go. We just had a concert at a very large conservative church in California this past weekend and I can tell you that many people were moved by the Holy Spirit and they were clapping and dancing and moving with the music. I did not see anyone in that congregation of about 900 people who was sitting still.

There was no Greek nor Jew, slave nor free, male nor female. We were truly all one in Christ Jesus. It was great!!!

GETTING OUT OF THE BOX

So get to know someone different. Step out of your box. You never know how much fun you will have. Being a part of this choir and seeing how people were deeply touched by our singing was very moving and very rewarding to me and the rest of the choir. Had I not ventured into this group I would have never experienced such joy!

Frankly, I have never seen another's color or origin. I love people from around the world and I love to learn about new cultures and new people. I was raised this way. Fortunately my parents were worldwide travelers, so we got used to meeting and hearing about people from all lands. My best friend in Dental Assisting school was African American. I always asked her to take me to her church and she wouldn't do it. In those days, in the south, she was afraid that there would be trouble if she did that. I think that God would have been happy. But that is the past. Now I am in the future and I have my chance to sing in a Gospel choir and I am loving it!

So, be like Mr. Fish and Mr. Turtle. Enjoy life to the fullest and become friends with your neighbor. Love one another! Get to know other cultures and creeds and find out what makes them tick. You may learn something valuable in your own life. I have learned that my fellow choir members really know how to celebrate the love of Jesus through music and I am thrilled to be a part of that because I feel the same way. When I was a little girl I used to go outside on the swings and sing at the top of my lungs. I'm sure I was singing to God, although I didn't realize it at the time. I just knew that I loved to do it and it was my source of great peace and joy in those days.

My joy has returned! I wish for you to experience joy as well. So be a friend. Greet someone from another country or nationality that you have never said hello to before and see what happens! And let me know. I would love to get feedback for a follow-up story.

Blessings to you all in the Name of Our Lord Jesus. May He give you exceptional peace and love and joy as we enter into this Fall Season. May you see the joy of His love!

Your friend in Jesus,
Tracy Shepard
Walking and Singing In Love