Have you ever gone for a drive and come around a corner to be astounded by an awesome sight? That’s what happened early last week. We rounded a corner and this field of rape flowers with a backdrop of an azure-blue sky, green trees, white clouds and a strong invisible wind greeted us. After suddenly stopping the car, getting out with my camera, I noticed the smell of this “nano-hana-batake.” The whole area was filled with the fragrance of a just-opened jar of honey!
The pole of flying carp is a sight seen from now until Boys Day on May 5th in Japan. The carp socks signify boys fighting the currents of life to get upstream to adulthood. The stronger the current, the harder the fight is to get upstream. As a result, however, the boys become strong and productive young men. The top sock is significant of the stream of life followed by what probably is a sock for each son or grandson in the family that owns this field. Oh, and by the way, it is from the rape flowers that canola oil is produced.
Are you frustrated by the current events with which you (and a myriad of others) are faced today? Wars, rumors of war, financial gyrations in the worldwide economy, scandals, political distrust, physical ailments, diseases (known and unknown), family breakups, morals, lying, cover-ups and tomorrow who knows what are all current events. The stronger these current events become, the harder we must buck against them to fight our way up to the Head of the Stream. The Word of God tells us that all these current events will happen. It also encourages us in our fight to get upstream:
Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation (a current event): but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.
Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ (the Holy Spirit) who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.
Why not this weekend “wiggle your tail” and fight your way up to the Head of The Stream?