An Anxious Baby Turtle

A Miracle Moments Story: An Anxious Baby Turtle

One of my favorite little creatures are turtles. There is something about the way they move about in the world that’s so heartwarming, slow but very determined. What would take them a full day to accomplish, would likely take us a few minutes or even seconds. I’ve always had a soft spot for turtles. In my neighborhood, every now and then I get to encounter one. They are usually goal oriented, embarking on a journey, ready to explore vast horizons, & discover a whole new world, usually located right across the street.

I get so anxious when I see them dodging traffic, or more like cars dodging them. I get heart broken when I see a fallen soldier, who was unsuccessful. One day I was going for an afternoon jog, when I noticed a very large turtle crossing the street. Cars were driving around it. I knew it was only a matter of time before it got hurt. So I attempted moving it. Ironically, I was terrified of getting bit by this turtle. It had a pretty significant head, so instead of picking it up, I proceeded to kick it out of traffic. I know, terrible right!?!

My fears certainly got the best of me. After multiple attempts of trying to “move the turtle with my shoes,” I realized my efforts were in vain. The turtle would only continue to walk towards oncoming traffic. Right when I started feeling defeated, a driver pulled his car over to help. He bravely picked up the turtle and placed it out of traffic. I thanked him and felt relieved, and also slightly embarrassed for being such a coward. Once I left, I couldn’t help but wonder if the turtle would venture out into traffic again.

The following day, I found that same turtle on the side of the road, smashed to smithereens, yes… dead. My heart sank. I just wished I had the strength and the courage, that was necessary to bring this large turtle to a new home. To make matters worse my apartment’s community was filled with large, beautiful lakes… such a pity. I still occasionally look back at that moment with regret, but I did eventually get a moment for redemption.

The following month I encountered another turtle, a baby turtle! Perfectly compact and transferable. I knew this was my moment to make a difference in a turtle’s life. I picked up the baby turtle and started running back towards my apartment. The distance back to my apartment was a whopping 3 miles. Although I run often, I usually take plenty of walk breaks (which usually turns out to be more walking than running). To my frustration, this baby turtle was so impatient! He really was not happy with me. Looking back, I certainly would be pissed, if someone was kidnapping me too… but he didn’t see the dangers. I had better plans for him, so I picked up the little turtle. I held his shell tightly between my index finger and thumb & began making my way back home.

During the journey he was fuming. He fearlessly whipped his little head over his shell. He was attempting to free himself, I assume by biting me. However, his attempts were fruitless. I ran home as fast as I could, with everything in me, & taking minimal walk breaks. I not only realized how inadequate my endurance was, but I also had an epiphany. My inner spirit jokingly said, “He’s just like you.” This turtle was a mirrored image of my tantrums…yikes! I thought, “This is what God must feel like when he’s moving things around in my life. For my favor”. Him having to endure another one of my impatient dramatics, frosted in anxious doubt. All while coming back to him with repetitive prayers full of self- pity and tears. I recalled so many moments of panic. Worrying if and when would God intervene or move, only to realize retrospectively he was in-fact always moving. Lining things up behind the scenes, to be revealed later. Even though I am aware of this, I will probably always struggle to suppress my “are we there yet” nature… Yeah, I was just like this baby turtle.

I just needed this little turtle to chill out! I was running as hard as my body would permit, to get him to a better home. I kept repeating “Just a bit longer” (as if he could understand me). Of course it didn’t make a difference, he was fearful & had no idea where I was taking him. He just wanted me to put him down. I recall running past a small pond, it was a nice pond, but I knew there was another. A much better one, although it would require a bit more patience. At this point the turtle was having a total meltdown, full-on fight or flight mode. I almost accidentally dropped him, poor guy. “Calm down!” I exclaimed. I really couldn’t blame him for the freak out. I really did empathize with him, but Sheesh! The pressure!

I was taking this little turtle to what I would describe as the perfect dream lake. It was bigger, way better than the others. It was located in a nice, shaded area & also had a few other turtles in it. It had “turtle heaven” potential. Finally, we arrived. After 3 miles, I was breathing heavily, just like in my track & field days. Right after realizing I wasn’t cut out for long distance running. I was sweating profusely, similar to when visiting Belize in the summertime. Dripping with sweat almost instantly after taking a cold shower, because there was no air conditioner. My heart was pounding. Like I had 2 suitcases left on the show Deal or no Deal, with a million dollars at stake. We finally arrived!!! By now the turtle had finally chilled out, (or just gave up on life) & had completely retracted into its shell. I walked over to the water and gently put him down.

He soon realized the journey was over, and the destination had been reached. He paddled into the water & then swam away. He got a new home. A home he would never have to leave. A few days later, I went back to the pond and noticed a baby turtle I believe to be him. He swam up close and stayed in front of me for a while, & then swam away. I felt like he was trying to thank me & tell me that he was happy in his new home. Either that, or that he was miserable, and I was the bane to his existence after kidnapping him. I’d like to assume it was the first message.

Being able to give this turtle a new home, was so rewarding. I was also able to get a little insight on how prayers and patience work. We sometimes think that what we’re looking for is just right across the street. Not understanding that there is nothing really there, but danger. Sometimes what is there, will only take us further away from what we truly want, & only God knows it. He can see further than we can in time and space. As his thoughts and ways higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). He may gently redirect us, or he may completely remove us from the situation to protect us. It is during these times where we may feel most discouraged, or that life is unbearable. He could be moving things around that would require some, if not a lot of patience. No matter how much fighting, screaming, and crying we do, sometimes we just have to wait (Ecclesiastes 3:1). God’s ultimate plans are always better than anything we could ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). He gives such good gifts, His best (James 1:17). Gifts that will always surpass our expectations. That is how we can truly know when something is from him. Whether it be a house, a job, a trip, finances, a friendship, a relationship, or even a random gift. Sometimes it takes just a little faith and patience (Hebrews 6:12).

Like a turtle, we may think that it will take forever to get to where we want to be. Achieving our goals may seem like it will take an endless amount of time, or even impossible to reach. But God can move and accomplish so much, with just a moment in time. At a speed far beyond our comprehension. Breathe, have faith and stay ready. The journey to the destination, can be quite scenic and even the best part of the experience. So, until the destination is reached, appreciate your journey, the scenes of every day & every moment. Take it all in because the views will never be the same.

Check out another one of my written blogs:

A Beloved Ring