Baby Turtles, Perfect Timing, and Childlike Delight
A trend seems to be developing in my life. God keeps speaking to me through turtles. Now before you question my sanity, let me explain.
Unlike Balaam’s donkey in Numbers 22, the turtles aren’t speaking directly to me. However, God has always used his creation to get my attention. He knows I like turtles, so why not teach me some important lessons using these humble reptiles?
What a Frightened Turtle Taught Me About Surrender
My husband and I were recently in a beautiful coastal city in Brazil for a church conference. On our final day, our hosts set up a tour of the nearby beaches and scenic areas. We were scheduled to meet our tour guide and some lovely church leaders in the lobby of our hotel at 8 a.m. After reaching the lobby, I realized I had forgotten my swim shirt, which I had been told was a necessity for the last stop on our tour.
Rushing back to our room, I worried that this delay would be seen as rude or that I would mess up our timing for the whole day. Out of breath, I pulled out my room key, only to discover that it no longer worked. Seriously?
I didn’t want to have to call my husband to come up and cause a further delay, so I held my key to the door and asked Jesus to help me get in the room. Nothing. I prayed again. Still nothing. Jesus and I had a short conversation at this point that mostly sounded like me whining. But at some point in the middle of whining, I had a thought. Maybe this is all about the timing. I decided to call my husband. He brought another key. I retrieved my shirt, and we were off on our adventure.
Our van meandered down the coast, stopping at various view points, and thankfully, no one seemed perturbed by the delay. Eventually, we pulled off at a rocky beach. Our tour guide warned us to stay to the left side of the beach because the area to the right was a praia de naturismo, in other words, it was clothing optional. Yikes! We would be keeping firmly to the left.
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Moments later I experienced something I have dreamt of my entire life. I watched in wonder as dozens of tiny loggerhead sea turtles emerged from their nest just steps away from us. Within minutes, they were skittering across the sand in every direction. Being careful not to step on the vulnerable, two-inch-long hatchlings, we followed as they enthusiastically traversed sand and seaweed in their quest for surf. We helped a few who had flipped onto their backs or become misdirected, and within 20 minutes they had all reached the sea. What a joy! And what exquisite timing.
As we walked back to the van, I thought of that moment of frustration back at the hotel and remembered that fleeting thought, maybe this is all about the timing. Timing indeed. Had we arrived any earlier, we probably would not have bothered to stay long enough at this particular location, with its adjacent clothing optional beach, to witness what felt like a once in a lifetime event.
Back in late December, God gave me the word “wonder” for 2026, and he has been continually reminding me to stop and observe the wonder around me each day. But this felt over the top. In his goodness, my heavenly Father had orchestrated an encounter I will never forget. Experiencing the beginning of the baby loggerheads’ journey filled me with wonder, not only at God’s magnificent creation, but at his tender generosity. I honestly believe he loves to see his children experience delight.
How has God met you with wonder and delight in surprising ways? Do you long to experience more wonder in your life? Ask your heavenly Father. He loves to give good gifts to his children!
‘Sometimes healing comes by waving the white flag of surrender when everyone else is telling you to stay in the fight.’
