Turtles!

A lake teems with life. Plants, fish, amphibians, birds and reptiles depend on the lake. A minnow lives near the shore in the shallows. Because of predators, it rarely ventures into deeper water. In contrast, a catfish remains in the deep. Always lurking, the catfish moves slowly through the depths scavenging for food. Then there is the lowly turtle. This lake resident moves throughout the water world. The turtle can plunge into the depths, float on the surface, and even move from the water altogether. These three creatures illustrate three approaches to dealing with the pain and suffering of life.

Some people are minnows. They deny the deeper truths and realities. These people use entertainment, possessions, accomplishment, or denial to stay near life’s surface. Like minnows, they desperately avoid what may lurk in deeper water. Others people are like catfish; they stay on the bottom. Their lives have become so encumbered by pain that it defines them. Their suffering holds them down. These poor souls will never know what it is to soar.

But, we can be turtles. This creature represents those who will not run from pain nor accept it as the final word. By acknowledging the pain, sharing it with those who will refine it and finally embracing it, they are no longer banished to one extreme. These souls, like a turtle, can now journey the entire lake of life. Further, the character built by accepted suffering builds a hard shell of faith and trust which protects from the predator of fear.

Minnows, catfish and a few turtles - all loved by their creator and all given the power and the opportunity to grow!