The Turtle

Once a month I receive a visit from a turtle in my backyard. I don’t know if it is native to the area, or lost from a poor child who was playing with their turtle one day. But one thing I know, the turtle is steady, patient, and focused. When I mow the backyard I look out for “Steady”. When I spot the turtle, he or she is always on the move. Walking slowly back and forth, to and fro. Always on the move, steady and focused. At times, I will pick up Steady and move him to safety. As I researched the turtle I found out that there are 28 different types of turtles in Texas. Female turtles travel long distances in search of the perfect spot to lay their eggs. Depending on the temperature of the nest, the turtle will produce females if the temperature is warm. If the temperature is cool, the nest will produce mostly males.

I looked out the back window and there he was, on the move, steady, patient and focused. We can learn from the turtle. He is not the fastest animal. He hides often under his shell. He pops his head to get his bearings, and then moves diligently and steady. Very often as Christians, we want things quick, fast, and now. One only needs to read the various signs from the various industries today; “Drive thru foods, Quick oil change, Drive up window for the pharmacy, Drive thru Banking, Drive thru prayer, and the list goes on. However, the best things in life take time. Sweet corn, golden delicious apples, sweet potatoes, delectable pumpkins, California grapes, DR mangoes, chili beans, do I need to go further?

Even Mom’s old style cooking took time. The smell would permeate every room of the home. You knew when the bell rang; you were in for a treat. However, many today love the microwave oven and the quick cook pots. Many switch over to instant grits, instant potatoes, instant pancakes, instant oatmeal, and instant rice. However, you and I know that the best things in life take time. The best chefs in the world make their soups and stews the night before. Why? Because it takes time for the ingredients to blend together thus forming an incredible taste. At times I am dumbfounded how many have taken this into relationships. After 6 weeks, young couples want to get married. Many rush the timetable, and as a result many relationships end in disaster.

Today, even in the work place. Many of our youth want instant raises, instant promotions, and instant advancement. If they don’t achieve their instant goals, they hop to another workplace to attain their instant ambitions. We can learn from the turtle. The good things in life take time. Time to develop skills, time to develop relationships, time to read a good book, and time to get a good education. The Bible says this “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:3,4

My backyard turtle gets to its destination. He is happy as he goes. Enjoys life, and the splendor of nature. Takes time to greet me. He is steady and patient. How are you today? Here are some words of insight. “Let none mourn that they have not larger talents to use for the Master. While you are dissatisfied and complaining, you are losing precious time and wasting valuable opportunities. Thank God for the ability you have, and pray that you may be enabled to meet the responsibilities that have been placed upon you. If you desire greater usefulness, go to work and acquire what you mourn for. Go to work with steady patience, and do your very best, irrespective of what others are doing. ‘Every one of us shall give account of himself to God.’ Let not your thought or your words be, ‘O that I had a larger work! O that I were in this or that position!’ Do your duty where you are. Make the best investments possible with your intrusted gift in the very place where your work will count the most before God. Put away all murmuring and strife. Labor not for the supremacy. Be not envious of the talents of others; for that will not increase your ability to do a good or a great work. Use your gift in meekness, in humility, in trusting faith, and wait till the day of reckoning, and you will have no cause for grief or shame. “ {RH May 1, 1888 Par. 6}

May God bless you this Sabbath, as we enjoy our time with our Savior.

Angel
Angel J. Rodriguez, D.Min
Houston Central – Senior Pastor