"Watch This"

Have you ever had one of those "Watch This" moments with one of your kids? You know, where your immediate circumstances inspire you to turn that moment into something special that will leave a fond and lasting memory in your child's mind. A moment where you and your child share an idea, a plan, or a wonder only between the two of you. Those kind of moments don't necessarily require something spectacular as much as a complete and unexpected deviation from what is currently happening, where you look at your child and say "Watch This."

Do you notice when God creates those "Watch This" moments with you? A number of years ago, my job required that I travel to trade shows a couple of times a year. One time while we were in Minneapolis, we decided to have dinner at a particular restaurant that had been recommended to us. It turned out that this restaurant had an aquarium, center-stage, with one large, and faily unattractive fish swimming lethargically around among the lava rocks and plants. I am always fascinated by God's creatures and this odd fish was no exception. I asked our server if she knew what kind of fish it was and she told us that it was a puffer fish. I had never seen a puffer fish before and this fish didn't look at all to me like it could puff itself up into a spiney ball, but I was very intrigued and hoped that I might get to see it take place. The server quickly quenched my hopes as she told us that it had been in that aquarium for 7 or 8 years and had never puffed up. She said that they only puff up when they feel threatened and it was apparently used to the environment and felt very secure.

But then God... Don't you just love those words? You know that whatever follows is something you don't want to miss. I sat there at our table about 12' from the aquarium just watching as the puffer swam around, still curious, still in wonder over God's work, and still wishing that it might puff up. Then suddenly it seemed to be having convulsions. At least that's the way it appeared to me. I watched in amazement as I realized that it was puffing up. I said "It's doing it" just as our server was walking by, and she turned to look at the aquarium. Then she ran and told the staff and in seconds the aquarium was surrounded by restaurant staff as they watched in awe and blocked the view to all the customers. When the staff left the aquarium and resumed their duties, the puffer was once again swimming lethargically around in the water. Ok, so I still didn't get to see it fully puffed up, but I got a spectacular "Watch This" moment with my Awesome God that will live in my heart forever. Nothing could be better.

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." (Jeremiah 33:3)