Turtles

Two little turtles each about the size of a tablespoon provided entertainment for three days for the kids.  Blake, my six year old retrieved each of the turtles by hand; first one and then hours later another.  The kids were fishing down by the boat docks and he spotted the baby turtles eating algae on the lake bank.  He laid on his stomach and reached in and carefully brought it to land, then, voting that he needed a friend they went back for another.  I am sure the turtles were totally terrorized with all the loving care and attention they received, for they were doted on every waking hour, by four very attentive little caretakers.  The parents would try to act as turtle protectors but reprieve was temporary. It was only when the families were packed up to leave for home and the turtles were ceremoniously returned to their home that they were finally at peace. Oh but the entertainment that they provided was priceless. 

Turtles, they carry their house around with them and are sheltered by their shell.  They have the ability to withdraw their heads and be still and hide when danger seems imminent oh but they are slow in their movement and can be caught when unaware.  No I am not going to compare us to turtles but I am going to comment on our similar behaviors.  We seek shelter when we see danger approaching, and it is often human instinct to tuck our heads in the sand and try to hide when our fear is triggered by circumstances.  But unlike those turtles, we have the capacity to reason, and have God's built in tools to ward off the fear approaching danger by greeting it head on with faith.

It is not a bad thing to be a slow and steady mover, for you can see things on your journey that you might have missed at a fast speed.Slow and steady can be translated to the Christian walk; it is a slow and steady venture, one step at a time. Christianity is not an instant fix and it is not about taking grand leaps into the unknown, it is about taking one step at a time with Christ and allowing him to provide for you a trail to follow and pursue. I don't know too much about turtles and think that when they are hatched they are on their own, but when we are born, we are never on our own, we always have a heavenly father watching over us.  And as we trudge along on our journey, if we keep steady in our pace, and trust God to slowly and deliberately transform us according to His purposes, we are sure to be the winner of any race that we compete in.  For if we chooose to slowly and methodically engage in God's ways, he will keep us focused on the course he has set out for us to travel and the finish line that is far in the distance of our travels. 

I have found that children stories still come in to play even at my age, for the fable of "Tortoise and the Hare" resonates a truism that has maintained throughout the years; you don't have to be fast to win a race, but you do have to maintain a steady gait and a solid focus. May God help us to be consistent in our efforts to seek Him, and faithfully steady on our journey. 

Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, Lord,

    that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
    that I may fear your name.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the gift of little turtles that you gave to the kids this past weekend. May we learn to be so attentive and caring

to those who you surprisingly allow to cross our paths.  Amen       

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!