Turtle Tuesday: Travel Advisory

It's Turtle Tuesday and B, the Traveling Turtle has a personal story to share.

Just minutes before my son Justin shipped off to Marine Boot Camp in June, I said, " I have some advice for you."  With those words, Justin gave me a look of dread. He knew a Mom speech was coming!. Most Moms are gifted in advice stuff when it comes to our children. I am no different. The funny thing was I had no idea what I was going to say!  Then, these words came out of my mouth, "Ask God to be your strength." Justin gave me a puzzled look. "Is that it?" he asked. Yep, that was it. 

Six wise words.

This morning we had another send off moment with Justin. My husband and I cried as he left for Marine Combat Training. I didn't have it together to be able to speak words so I texted my reminder advice through tears as Justin made his way through airport security.

Today B, the Traveling Turtle is modeling a wise traveler. She is taking her own advice as a 'carry on' through this journey. I don't know where you are in your travels or what baggage may be weighing you down, but consider a 'carry on' instead. It truly can be life changing.

B's Travel Advisory:

Don't try to to pull yourself up by your boot straps. ASK God to be your strength.
So do fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesday: My Offering

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:14

Love,
B, your turtle girl

Breakfast Is Served

One of my favorite morning tasks  pleasures is to serve breakfast.  I grab fresh bread, cut the carrots, and sometimes garnish my plate with a few grapes.  This morning with my plate in hand, I stood at the fence looking for my "crew".  The desert wash was deserted. There were no early birds, flybys, or even a chirp to be heard.  At first I was disappointed no one showed up, not even 'somebunny.' The breakfast feast I prepared seemed like such a waste. As I turned to leave with my feast, an idea popped in my mind. The thought tickled my heart!  What if I spread the bread, carrots, and grape garnish on the desert floor for my feathered and furry friends as a surprise! Maybe when they are walking, flying, or hopping by today they will stumble upon my feast and be refreshed.

. 

. 

.

. 

They probably won't grasp the floored feast was prepared just for them. (I know that.)
They may be clueless the feast was purposely put in their path. (Duh!)
They may not even be grateful for the provision. (I know that too.)

I left it anyway.

The Lord showed me a spiritual truth this morning.  I saw Jesus, standing in the garden as our daily bread waiting... on you and me every single morning with good things in His hand.  Where are we in this picture? Are we the no show? Or at best maybe we do a  flyby with Jesus, because we are so very busy. 
In His abundant love for us, the Lord leaves stuff for us anyway.  He scatters 'God things' on our path hoping we will hunger for MORE. Feast or Famine.  We get to chose.

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water. Psalm  63:1

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesday: On Track

 With large rocks in her path and curves into the unknown ahead, B, the On Track Turtle continues to crawl. "Full Speed Ahead" is the echo of her heart. Today B celebrates the fact she doesn't know where she is going. God has promised her more than she can ask or imagine. B is going to walk by faith and flat out BELIEVE what the Lord has said to her.  God Almighty has planned her path and yours. Maybe you need to get into gear today and Go Full Speed Ahead!  You aren't traveling alone. Fear Not my turtle friends!

 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!  Psalm 139:1-6

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesday: The Wake Up Word

This morning B woke up to the sound of a beeping alarm and a word from the Lord. Just one single whispered word.

Behold.  
By definition, behold means to fix the eyes upon; to see with attention; to observe with care.

The Lord's wake up word opened B's eyes to the unseen.  She turned toward the Son, Jesus Christ. B admits sometimes her focus is on so many other faces.   Today His beauty is in the eye of  B, the Beholder Turtle. B knows if she misses Him, she misses everything.

Behold. B thought it was worth sharing.  What's catching your eyes today?

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after;  that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. 
Psalm 27:4

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesdays: Picking Up What I Laid Down

 It's been over two years since I have written a post on my blog. As I seek to change that today, I felt the need to pause and ponder why I stopped sharing.  I have to say stopping wasn't a thought out, prayed over decision. It just kind of happened. Tuesdays came and went. Before you know it, the turtle girl became comfortable in her shell of silence. To be totally honest, it brings tears to my eyes now. The effect of not sharing has had greater consequences for me than for anyone who would have read a post.  

A few weeks ago, I saw B, the long neck pencil. Her googly eyes caught mine and well, the rest is history.  I picked up the pencil. The Lord's message was very clear.  He had not withdrawn His call to write.  Today I am reminded The Lord has never asked me to do anything that felt like a slam dunk, but He also never ask me to go it alone.

Thank you Lord.  I am humbled by your grace and mercy.  I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesday: Gathering Dust

Sometimes when we are not doing what we dream of doing, discouragement can fall on us like dust.

Today B, the coconut turtle models this so well.  Let me tell you girls...B is being real here.  Dusty discouragement has been all over her.  This morning however, B read a post from her bloggy friend Alene about  The Gift of Encouragement.   Do you think mayb the Lord led B's little turtle toes to Alene's address?  B believes He did.

Here is part of what Alene had to say:
"The challenge for each of us this week is to specifically encourage someone. That person that is on your mind right now, write their name down and then follow-up with encouragement."   B immediately knew what she had to do. This turtle girl has been given the gift of encouragement, however she has not been using it lately.  So B  'pledged' to the Lord to wipe off the discouraging dust by encouraging a couple of her friends with these. 

These necklace pendants are going to b mailed today.  This action has removed the discouraging dust on B's shell.  Even though you may think she's a nut, it is all about shining for Jesus. Are you a little dusty also?  Don't let discouragement settle over you.  Use what you have been given.  It's enough.  (Satan will tell you different but it is more than enough in God's hands.)  If you do you will SHINE.

 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10-11


B His Girl