Turtles

God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Psalms 46:10.








Turtles are one of God's most interesting creations.  I knew lots of facts about them.  Their shells are beautiful works of art  and each as individual as human finger prints. In addition to being beautiful, they protect the turtle's vulnerable body. Without a shell, the turtle would be easy game to predators. but with it, only the most aggressive and resourceful enemies can harm it. 


Nothing I learned in books prepared me for the reality of having a turtle at our house. One day while driving through the middle of nowhere in West Texas, I saw a box turtle crossing the  road. I picked it up and took it to the babysitter, thinking that it would be fun for the little boys there. The first lesson we learned was that while we hear that turtles are slow, they can really put a move on when exposed to two year olds.  The turtle came home with us after a couple of days of  torture at the babysitter's. This gave rise to a series of utterances that I never dreamed would ever come out of my mouth. For instance, I never dreamed I would have to tell a child, "Don't give that turtle coke." or "Don't chase the turtle." One sentence that was uttered just a little too late was, "Don't kiss the turtle.!" His reply was "I kiss Spike" Spike's response was to clamp down on his lip. My child let out a blood curdling scream and let go of the turtle, who hung off of his lip. As I stared, Spike let go of his lip and fell from 2 year old height. I put him in the cage, where he was very still for 2 days. I was unreasonably pleased when I heard scratching in the cage. Apparently the shell can protect turtles from the most ruthless of danger.






Jesus tells in Matthew 6 about how God cares for his creation but says that we are of much more value. We serve a God who cares deeply about our well being. Matthew 10:29-30 tell us this.


    Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your      Father’s care. ³⁰ And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.


We need to be assured of God's care and protection for us. In a difficult time or when beginning a new stage in life, we need to know that God will protect us from fear, from physical danger, and from the attacks of the enemy. One of the most beautiful verses I know of is Psalms 46:10-14. God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, thought the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. The Lord Almighty's with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.


When Abraham was afraid, God told him in Genesis 15, I am your shield and your very great reward. He says the same thing to us today. One thing he gives us is his presence. He told Jeremiah in Jer. 1:9
"Be strong and courageous. Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with your wherever you may go. In Ephesians 6, he tells us about a resource we often ignore - our spiritual armor. This includes the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.

 We may feel weak and ineffective, and on our own we are. However with God we can be assured of protection and can face our lives and our enemy with faith and confidence.