Mr. Turtle

The other day I was driving to the grocery store when I saw something up ahead inching across the four-lane road. I thought it was a squirrel dragging a leaf. I slowed down. As I got closer, I realized it was a turtle.

I pulled over, put my hazard lights on, and got out of the vehicle. He was huge! I picked up this heavy creature with both hands holding him at the back of his body so he couldn’t bite me. He immediately drew his head into his shell. It was only a few feet to a grassy area on the side of the road. I faced him away from the street and drove off.

What if he goes back into the road? I pulled over at the next intersection and walked about a block and a half to where I left him. Sure enough, he had turned around headed towards the street. I didn’t realize there was a black chain link fence blocking his path where I had placed him.

Now what do I do? I picked him up again and looked for a safer place.

The fence enclosed a baseball field and went on for quite a distance along the grassy area.I knew there was a pond up ahead about a half mile and headed that way. I had often seen many large turtles on my daily walk sunning on the rocks or diving into that pond when I tried to photograph them.

It began to rain so I picked up my pace. I knew he had to be frightened and was relieved he didn’t come out and try to bite me.

“Just hold on,” I told him. “I’m trying to save your little behind.”

I eventually arrived at the grassy area around the pond, walked down the hill, and put him on the ground along the water’s edge.

“There you go Mr. Turtle,” I said as I gave him a light pat on the behind.

He took off for the water. Splash!

Mr. Turtle didn’t understand I was keeping him from danger, but I know he was happy once he was released.

My adventure with Mr. Turtle reminded me of my mid-twenties. My life was headed in the wrong direction. But God had a stranger pray for me. For two years. During that time, God reached out to me, but I didn’t listen. Yet, He still pursued me. And then after I became a Christian, I realized He had intervened in my life, showing me the right direction.

Isaiah 30:21 says, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

I don’t know if turtles are attuned to the voice of God. But we humans can be. If we learn to recognize it, I’m sure He will point us in the right direction. Just like I did Mr. Turtle.