Sea Pillows (or Billows?)

One way for me to be generous is in the sharing of the joy that our little children bring to so many family and friends, near and far. To that end, let me share a special moment from our celebration of Christmas...

Of course the time of opening up the bible together and talking about Mary, the angels, Jesus's true Father were all a highlight of our past couple days. Look for details on this on a future post.

But one of the most special gifts Becky and I gave was a purple Beta fish to sweet Elise.

The reader needs some context: Often on Saturdays, Becky and I will each take one of our two children off on an errand, to have some "special time" just one-on-one. Last time I took Elise and we wound up in a large pet store. We were just looking. But when we came to the fish section, Elise started saying "I want a purple fish, I want a purple fish!" She said it sweetly, not demandingly, and I decided that would be my gift to her to celebrate Jesus's birthday.

So Becky and I went back to the store later, bought a 1 gallon aquarium and a purple fish. Becky wisely suggested we let Elise name it once she "opened it" and that is what you see in the video clip below. Watch it by double-clicking the image below. As you watch, listen carefully to what she names her new purple fish, then continue reading below:

[video link to be uploaded, momentarily...]

What did she name him? At first we thought it was "Sea Pillows." That is, until this morning, when I asked her why she named him that. She answered: "From that song."

Dad: "What song, honey?"

Elise: "At church..."

Dad, after a long thoughtful pause, realized maybe it was from that classic hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul," which has a verse that goes:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Dad, singing: "Do you mean that song 'It is well, it is well with my soul'?"

Then Elise confirmed that this is what she had in mind when she named her fish. So, though in the video you hear us say she named it "Sea Pillows" I'm now pretty sure she meant "Sea Billows"... But Becky, again, makes a good point, that probably Elise, hearing the song sung, thought the words were in fact "... When sorrows like sea pillows role.."

This leaves us with a dilemma that we hope you readers can help us with: Which name should we actually call the newest member of our family? You may vote by your comments below (please leave comment.)