Monday, October 17, 2011

I accidentally murdered some fish...

If you're looking for something deep, today's blog is NOT for you.

When we were moving, many years ago... I emptied the kids aquarium, fish and all, into a dark green glass pitcher sitting with about 100 other kitchen items, next to the sink.

As the move drew closer, and all the rest of the kitchen stuff needed to be boxed... Into the garbage disposal went the 'water' in the dark green pitcher... and the fish.


As I turned on the disposal, it dawned on me!!!! I shrieked and called my hubby to come quick...

It was too late!

That was more than 30 years ago, and not once, when the subject comes up, has he failed to grin and remind me that he thought he heard the fish 'screaming as they went into the sink'... I'm not sure what it is, but his 'funny gene' seems to get a kick out of that story. Is it just men??

Before you shake your head and wag your finger at me... it's with a certain amount of relief that I also remember this verse....


"You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. Matt. 5:21(Msg)


Now I'm smiling... as I am reminded that none of us are exempt, from either calculated or accidental deeds.

Just a fleeting memory... about as fleeting as the lives of those poor little fish.



19 comments:

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

This is great....ouch on the verse!! I probably need to put that up on the wall for us all to be reminded.

Oh Benjamin's Betta...the second one, which survived the cat, well it didn't survive its water change a few weeks ago....mommy messed up. So I am guilty of both the death of a fish and even the scripture you used.

Have a great week...looks like some weather change coming our way.
Go Rangers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Farm Girl said...

Well, things like that do happen. I have killed lots of my own fish too. I like the reminder today it is what is in the heart that defiles a person. It is those thoughts or even the words that I use that murder someones character. I was very conscious of that yesterday. Thanks for the sweet reminder.

Kathleen said...

What a great story! I'm afraid I'd be equally guilty as your hubby as I simply cannot pass up an opportunity for a good torment :)

I don't know if you've seen the Geico commericial wherein the parents make Sushi out of their daughter's goldfish, but I'll forever think of you when I see it from now on (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc6Hj1XxAUA)

Poor Captain Neptune ...

GwendolynKay said...

Hello Sonja,
How gross that must have been! Yikes! We all make mistakes, how did your children handle it? A great scripture , of course all God's word is great. :)
Blessings~

myletterstoemily said...

well, clearly that was fish slaughter that has a much
lighter sentence than fish murder with intent. and
none of us will tell on you!

to a sweeter subject, i put your delicious cookies in
a freezer bag to enjoy all the way to Christmas. last
night i had a dream that i sleep walked to the freezer
and ate every single one! i awoke and checked my
bed for crumbs! :)

back to fish, when i was a little girl i would cry as i
saw the fish my dad had caught struggle for air.

Debbie said...

I saw this title earlier, but I had to wait for the post. I was curious about my fish killing blog friend and what she was up to this time.

You gave me a perfect visual image. I'm going to have to stand trial for animal execution with you. For me, it's squirrels. I try... I really try... but they seem to go all kamekaze on me on a regular basis.

The girl who used to car pool with me liked to lean her head out the window and yell, "Run for your life! She's killed before!"

Smarty pants.

I get this one, and I also love the conviction at the end. God forbid that anyone has to herald ahead of me, "Run for your life, she has hated before!"

manthano said...

Glad your post finally came through.
LOVED IT. Looking for more.

Debbie said...

HAHA....and am I ever guilty. Of both the innocent killing of my fish, and the name calling to my brother. Oh, and I am afraid you'd never live that down at my house either. ; ) Have a wonderful week!

Sharon said...

I hate killing anything - except maybe ants. I have a rather ugly personal vendetta against ants.

But yes, thank the Lord that His salvation covers ALL my sins - the big ones, the small ones - the seen ones, the unseen ones - the ones that I'm aware of, and the ones I'm not.

Luckily your crime wasn't weighed on the *scales* of justice...(groan)

GOD BLESS!

Maryann said...

This makes me smile, BTW did you have children at that point and did they know you murdered the fish?

Marsha Young said...

Sonja - Bless your heart, if the worst you ever did was "flush the fish" - well, stuff happens.

As for why men grin at our foibles - I thought you knew - they are all "boderline evil" when it comes to their sense of humor. :)
Blessings to you - Marsha

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

OH SONJA! First of all, I saw this new post title pop up on my blog roll on SUNDAY, but when I came here, it wasn't up yet!!! BUT HERE YOU ARE and OH, that feeling...I accidentally ran over a RABBIT!!!!!I FELT LIKE A KILLER!!!!!!!!!! whew...got that out...teeheee

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WELL-WISHES! And I hope you are right, I do hope my drawings and other creations will sell because I am looking for a change....

BIG HUGS FOR YOU DEAREST! Anita

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

The first year I taught, I inherited a fish tank with fish (they came with the classroom). Within a month, all had died. I remember having the kids scoop the fish out of the tank each time and deposit them in the hall bathroom.

Yuck. Just not my thing. Your scenario would have freaked me out though... Yuck.

peace~elaine

Nancy said...

If we have children, we have all probably accidentally killed some fish in one way or the other....I know I have had my problems with the little critters....and now my daughter is fighting to keep her kids goldfish alive...I just laugh as I know it's going to be tough....

Thanks for your comforting words of encouragement. I really appreciate your friendship.....

Saleslady371 said...

I am so guilty. I was directly led here by the Holy Spirit as I have been having awful thoughts about my screeching cockateil again. Really gets under my skin!!!!!

Felisol said...

Dear Sonja,
I so glad my Bible says, Romans 3 :23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"

I'm guilty of so many sins.
Every day I live I seem to add more to my sin list.

A week ago I called my neighbour stupid. To my defence, he cut off our electric supply for five hours and at that time we had two people in wheelchair depending on light and nurses working in flickering candlelight. I vaguely excused myself and tried to get him understand our situation. But I have to admit I first said, "I was wrong to call you stupid, I haven't IQ tested you."
Gunnar was shocked, but I did take all the blame on me, in front of our neighbour and in front of God.
James3:5 "Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be."
I guess they in the end have forgiven me, I was the stupid one.
I am searching for a world my Dad used to quote, when I could not control my tongue.
I think it is in the Proverbs. "He who can control his tongue is stronger than he who conquers a whole city."

Something like that.
Well, as you can see, I am still dependant utterly of God's grace.
Some day I shall be released.
Yours Felisol

Walk In Truth said...

Hi Sonja,

I feel guilty because I laughed so hard. It's sad, but it was an accident. I'm actually afraid of fish, not eating them, but the thought of touching them or the bubble eyed ones. I had some as a child and one jumped out of the bowl and scared me, so that traumatic event lead to my fish issue.

I'm familiar with the husband funny gene, it just means their normal :o)

Great Verse!! I just came across verse 9 the other day, "With the tongue we praise our Lord..." I assume when this happens it means He's sending me a message, and will keep doing so until I listen.

God bless you friend
Your in my prayers, ~ Michele

LisaShaw said...

My friend, I cracked up and said yuck in the same breath but you got me when I rested my eyes on that verse and thought of times in my own life...

Thankful for God's truth that pierces deep and also heals.

I love you!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! You are so funny! Reminds me of that commercial where the parents are talking about how expensive sushi is and are on the brink of making a big confession when their daughter pops into the room with her fishbowl empty wanting to know where her fish is!!! I may never eat sushi again!