Okay I lied. It was actually a Monday, the fourth of July to be exact, but “Turtle Tuesday” has a certain ring to it, like “Taco Tuesday” and I find it hard to resist a good alliterative title… Anyhow, the turtles were out like I have never seen them before causing me to have the best Independence day ever! Have I mentioned I love turtles! They were five feet from me and my dear friends… we were just standing there chatting with our eyes totally on the turtles watching them poke their sweet little heads out of the water, splashing the water with the flippers, floating along peacefully munching their kelp or whatever it is they are eating and just being so amazingly cute without even trying. I commented to one friend that I thought if I could be an animal it would be the sea turtle. She said that she couldn’t be a sea turtle because they don’t have the ability to pull their heads into their shells… she’d have to be a cousin turtle, one who could pull into her shell when she felt overwhelmed.
Deep. But it’s true, they can’t pull their heads in. They are decidedly vulnerable.
Surprisingly, this did not change my opinion. I admit it would be lovely to pull your head in and hide from the world around you but my love for this turtle, the green sea turtle, makes me brave and bold. I’d be willing to risk it to live their serene lifestyle in the ocean that beckons me in like a warm embrace. I have a really hard time being next to the ocean and not in it. I love the smell of it and the heavenly shades of blue the comprise the waters around my island home simply entrance me. Growing up in the midwest, I have never been much of a beach person. Having lived in almost landlocked Germany for 8 years and deserty West Texas for over 11, I have never been exposed to the Ocean much. But on this island, the beach is mesmerizing. Maybe it’s the mountains which are on the periphery, maybe it’s just the charm of the turtles but I am in love…
And love makes you do strange things. Like wander into the ocean on a paddleboard relying on your rather novice swimming skills to fall into water that is unknowably deep in some parts, searching for turtles. Fearlessly searching for an animal that brings childlike joy. Turtles are sweet but not untouchable. There is a legend perpetuated here that sharks will not approach an area where there are turtles. I don’t know how this ever got started but it is indeed that…myth. Sharks will attack turtles and so the green sea turtles are not bullet proof like those that can retract their heads and appendages into the safety of their “tooth proof” home. Interesting how God created them that way. It’s also true that sea turtles are carnivorous when young but they become vegetarian as they age. Supposedly that is why most of the turtles we see are older, larger turtles. The young ones are further from shore. Almost seems like it would be the opposite…keep the young ones close to the shore.
And yet there is so much to learn from these adorable sea creatures. Stick your neck out there–take risks. Don’t keep your head in the water (0r the stick your head in the sand)… you’ll drown. Stand by your friends…stay in touch. And remember to worship the Creator rather than the creature. God says that if we don’t praise Him even the rocks and stones will cry out…I’m sure that includes turtles as well. I need to remember that the reason I delight in the creation is because the Creator has made everything for His pleasure but He also invites me to admire all the beautiful things around me. All the life around me. It is His work of art, His canvas and I believe He is honored when we notice a stunningly beautiful blossom or a tiny yellow finch perched on our garden wall. We just have to keep in mind the artist… the bird did not create itself, nor the flower as some would believe. They, I might add, have far more faith than I. Hopeless faith, nonetheless.
But my faith is far from hopeless. The faith I have in a God who saves, in a God who loves unconditionally, in a God who is willing that none should perish but all should come to eternal life. That is a faith that overcomes. Overcomes the petty political shenanigans of the day, overcomes the retaliation of a coworker consumed with jealousy (because you work hard and she is on facebook all day… perhaps), overcomes the hopeless of a world that seems to be spinning out of control in the realm of morality and common sense. So yes, it is this faith that drives me to partake of “Salt Water Therapy”. It’s very effective. Feel all your cares just melting away…experience excitement that rivals Christmas morning! And return to your daily routine encouraged and refreshed. If God can make something as cute as the green sea turtle, as amazing as the vast blue waters of the deep, as resplendent as the noble mountains that He spoke into existence , just imagine what waits for us on the other side…
You’ll never pull your head into your shell again!
P.S. I called it Turtley Tuesday because I really adore alliteration and Turtley Monday just didn’t do anything for me.
Decidedly Different 