Turtle Tuesdays: The Padded Box

If you are a frequent visitor to my blog, you know I'm truly a turtle girl: ) All you have to do is scroll through my posts and see a sampling of Tuesdays to get the picture. I have more turtles in my collection than I can count. (Not really, but close) What you don't know though is I rarely buy turtles. Most of my turtles have been given to me and today is no exception.
Meet B, the gifted turtle.

My daughter Megan's BFF, Lauren(left) gave me this turtle Sunday. She purchased it on vacation in Greece. I was touched to tears when she gave it to me. I immediately knew this turtle contained an important message that traveled around the world to reach me. As I gazed at B, the gifted turtle, I noticed the message was sent not in a bottle but in a box!

I couldn't decide how to display B in my collection. She looked so comfy in her padded box. It even matched her shell. I also loved the outside color of her box. Red. (Everyone needs a splash of red in their life!) My dilemma: Should I leave B in the box or take her out? As I pondered the thought, the message became clear. B, the gifted turtle's container reminded me of a word I received in a sermon by John Ortberg months ago "It all goes back in the Box!" The message was about life. When the game of LIFE is over...it all goes back in the box. B's box started looking like a coffin to her. B, the gifted turtle didn't belong in the box yet. She was alive. She had no business hanging out in comfortable places. B has places to go, people to share God's love with. She was not supposed to b in a box. This message was clearly from her bff. Jesus. It was like He was saying, 'Hellooooo turtle girl...what are you doing????'

B's life is about walking by faith. She is supposed to b 'out there' in the world bringing light to dark places. You are too! We can't go forward if we live in a box. It restricts us and limits our impact on the world. Sometimes we don't even realize we are stuck because our box has padding. It may even look pretty, like something out of a magazine. It can b comfy and cozy like a cocoon, but it is also mundane and boring. It is LESS than what's planned for our life. The Lord always tells this turtle girl to ..."B MORE." Look at this photo I found on my computer screen a couple of weeks ago left by my son who plays basketball. William had no idea what this photo would mean to me. I printed it to put in my God Calling devotional. The caption said 'Barton continues to shine.' I think B'ing More is about shining my light.

B remembered what the Lord said to Joshua when he became a leader. "I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses." The same ground applies to us when we walk by faith. Every place we set our feet. That means we have to b moving. There is MORE ahead if we press on. The Lord also told Joshua to 'Be strong and courageous' three times before he started walking in the Promise Land. (Sometimes we need to hear a word several times before it sinks in. Thank you Lord for repeating yourself.)

B, the gifted turtle is not to store up treasures for herself. She can't take them with her upon her exit from this world. She is supposed to open up and share. B is a gifted turtle for a reason.

My dilemma has been solved. B, the gifted turtle is now on display 'out of the box' . Her box has been put away for a day unknown to her. Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26

B believes.

B His Girl
PS. A note to the graduates: God has great things in store for your lives. He has places for you both to go. Stay 'out of the box' and walk by faith. There really is MORE ahead, more than you can ask or imagine. Love you!