Turtle Tuesdays: Out of the Box!

Meet B, the messenger turtle. She is not a big part of the story today. Actually she never is: ) She is truly just a reporter, sharing the things she has seen and heard from God. B felt compelled to share this good news story with you.

Four homeless men came to our worship service at Flounders Restaurant on Pensacola Beach Sunday. The problem was they arrived a tad late. They overslept and the service had already ended. I recognized one of them immediately as he removed his sunglasses. Sean had attended our services earlier in the summer. Several people offered them water and snacks. I decided to stop what I was doing and visit with them.

While we were talking, an image of this shoe box flashed across my mind. My friend Laura had given me a brand new pair of running shoes to share with someone in need. I had passed out lots of school clothes in the Village a few weeks ago where I serve, but I held on to this box. I felt these shoes were supposed to go to someone homeless. I inquired about their shoe sizes. Sean was the 'Cinderella' in this story. The shoes would fit him!

When I returned from my car with the shoe box in hand, Sean and his friend were at a table crying. "What's wrong?" I asked. They had a story to tell B. Sean had thrown away his old worn out tennis shoes before they came to our worship service. These homeless men realized God wasted no time providing new shoes for him. I was floored hearing this and so were they. B'ing a good reporter, I realized there was MORE to this shoe story.

"Sean " I stated, "God is after you! You better let Him catch you, because you can't outrun Him!" He hugged me with tears stinging his eyes. You see, Sean did not really miss the message by b'ing late on Sunday. God spoke to him 'out of the box'. Sean knew it too. I believe the Lord was smiling the whole time. God gave Sean some running shoes in case he wants to run from His plans for his life, knowing they will never be fast enough. God has not finished His story with Sean. I pray one day B, the messenger turtle can share the rest of his story.

Sean's story reminds me of this truth. We can run but we cannot hide! He sees and knows ALL.

God, investigate my life; get all the facts
firsthand. I'm an open book to
you;even from a distance, you know what I'm
thinking. You know when I leave
and when I get back;I'm never out of your
sight. You know everything I'm
going to say before I start the first
sentence. I look behind me and you're
there,then up ahead and you're
there, too — your reassuring presence, coming
and going. This is too much,
too wonderful — I can't take it all in! Is
there anyplace I can go to
avoid your Spirit?to be out of your sight? If I
climb to the sky, you're
there!If I go underground, you're there! If I flew
on morning's wings to
the far western horizon, You'd find me in a minute —
you're already there
waiting! (from THE MESSAGE) Psalm 139 1-10

B His Girl