Autumn* was looking up at me, waiting for my feedback on whether or not she should try to carry the turtle across the road in her hands. “Ummm...” I hesitated only a moment, as I was decidedly not in favor of the idea. “That looks like a snapping turtle. I think you'll regret picking it up with your hands.” And, as I later learned through an online search, it was indeed a snapping turtle—a long-tailed snapping turtle, to be precise.
My good-hearted friend had observed this turtle, just as it was set to embark on a treacherous trek across the two-lane, undivided highway we had been driving on. She had pulled over a minute before our destination, in hopes of rescuing it from it's imprudent plans which would, in all likelihood, prove to be fatal.
The turtle was mature, likely full-grown. It's shell alone looked to be around a foot and a half long. This creature looked more like a small dinosaur than a turtle, and I eyed it warily. My friend, however, was undeterred and sprung up with an “I've got an idea!” look on her face. Darting to her van, she opened her trunk and pulled something from it. I was astonished when she produced a small opaque, gray bin of dimensions that were perfectly suited to the size of our new-found friend. How uncanny!
Moving into action, Autumn went to scoop up the turtle. The turtle, neither aware nor appreciative of my friend's heroic intentions, retaliated against what it deemed to be a clear and obvious threat against it's life. Extending it's long neck in a lightning fast strike, it snapped down hard on the edge of the bin. Startled, Autumn let out a yelp and dropped the bin. “Whew! I'm so glad I didn't try to pick it up with my hands.” Autumn glanced up at me as she said this, and then determinedly shifted her focus back to her benevolent task.
I stood back, surveying the scene with admiration. In a moment, she had the turtle in the bin and was conveying it safely across the road. I followed, still intent at keeping my distance.
As I approached them on the other side, I was curious to learn what my friend was doing now. The turtle had been deposited onto the grass, but Autumn was still interacting with it. She was attempting to use the bin to move the turtle in a direction facing away from the road. When I questioned her, she explained that she had learned that turtles may become disorientated when moved and will then walk in the direction they are facing. So, even though it was now safe on the other side, it could still end up back on the road.
Despite her best efforts, the snapping turtle was not grateful for this added measure of help. The battle between the bin and the turtle lasted only a few minutes before the bin withdrew, and Autumn stood up, resigned and willing to accept that God was now in charge of the turtle's fate. We walked away, laughing together over our turtle adventure, then continued onward to our destination.
It has been over a month since this experience, and I haven't thought of it again until this morning, when God brought it forth to teach a valuable lesson:
Many of my children don't understand the purpose of My laws and commandments; they see them as restricting and a threat against their way of life. Here is the truth: My laws and commandments provide a container by which I am able to deliver you out of harms way. With a Godly heart, My sincere desire is that you may be able to dwell in safety and freedom, far from the destructive designs of the evil one. Then, as you will allow Me, I will do everything in My power to keep you pointed in the right direction, so you can continue forward with Me in safety and freedom.
How are you doing at allowing God into your life? I invite you to seek Him, asking Him in prayer what needs to change in your life so you can more fully experience His protecting power and influence. He loves you with an unfathomable depth and is worthy of your trust.
* Name has been changed.