Matthew 17:20b – Nothing shall be impossible unto you. (KJV)

"We should name him Nemo," I teased, as we lowered our little goldfish into the backyard pond. But then, there were those two cute dots on his tail.

"How about 'Deuce'?" my husband suggested.

"Perhaps 'Dos'?" I countered.

So, it was decided; his name would be Deucy-Dos. We were happy, and so was our goldfish. But that changed the day of the accident. While we were cleaning the pond, Deucy-Dos got into the tub enclosing the pump, exposing him to its suction. For weeks, I kept the tub lid off, hoping that he would swim out. I placed a net pondside, so that I'd be able to take decisive action. After three months, I re-positioned the lid.

"Don't give up so fast." my husband encouraged.

"He's not coming out of there!"

"But we prayed …"

My husband's words echoed within me like a soft hammer. Why hadn't I sighted our fish the first day that we prayed? Besides, I should have been more careful positioning the tub lid.

Then there was the lightning storm and subsequent power failure. When the pumps switched off, I raced to the edge of the pond to make sure they would start correctly when electricity was restored.

While listening to the thunder, I thought about Deucy-Dos. My husband's words echoed in my heart, along with the Scripture that nothing — absolutely nothing — is impossible for our holy God: "Nothing shall be impossible unto you."

The same sentiment is echoed in 1 Peter 2:9b. I should be able to "shew forth the praises of him who hath called [me] out of darkness into his marvellous light." (KJV) Deucy-Dos, if alive, was in the dark. But wasn't I, as well? I surrendered Deucy-Dos to God, and trusted Him to give or take him at His will. I was at peace even as the rain pelted me, drenching my clothing through to my skin.

To my utter amazement, when the pumps re-started, a gulp of water and air and algae spouted skyward, and Deucy-Dos landed splat into my hands, which by reflex I grasped tightly.

"Deucy-Dos!" I cried, examining him as if he were a newborn babe. We renamed our goldfish "Nemo" and thanked God for this unusual answer to prayer.

Friends, let us never give up on something that we've prayed about. God might surprise us by answering our unusual prayer. Let's surrender our concerns to the Lord, then praise Him even while we are experiencing the storms of life.

Prayer: Thank You, God, that with You, all things are possible through prayer. Amen.

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About the author:

Diane Virginia Cunio <diane@vinewords.net>
Germanton, North Carolina, USA
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