Article November 17, 1973 Issue

Joy for the Fishes— and You and Me

MABEL M. SCHULZ

The music of a rock group was blaring full volume as I passed the record department. The tune was catchy. And even after I had left the store, the words kept ringing in my ears: "Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea; joy to you and me."^{"Joy to the World" by Hoyt Axton, © 1970 Lady Jane Music;} My smile of amusement turned to one of appreciation as I thought to myself, "Why, indeed, shouldn't we proclaim joy to the fish? In reality, they are certainly God's creatures, and as such express grace, beauty, and joy in their own unique way."

A verse from the Bible came to my thought: "Ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."^{Isa. 55:12;} What a delightful picture and forceful reminder of the happy nature of all God's creation!

Through Christian Science I first learned of my God-given birthright of happiness. As a youngster in a Protestant Sunday School, I had gained a joyless conception of Deity. Loving teachers assured me of God's love, but I had grave doubts of the love of one who had planned a fiery and eternal punishment for those who failed to live up to the rules set forth.

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