Testimonials

This Story was published on The Elijah List in 2004.  It's still a good Word for Today!!!

I 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.
 

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 we 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 we 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 it is  a sucker fish who gets 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! In  fact, color was so irrelevant that God didn't even bring it up!!!
 

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 wherever 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 NEW Season. May you see the joy of  His love!
 

Your friend in Jesus,
 

Missionary Tracy

Walking and Singing in Love

Jesus is the Victor and the Best is Yet to Come!

We win who love and live for HIM!  Amen and Amen Infinity Times

Glory to God in the Highest and Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all Men!