What I Learned About Surrender From a Frightened Turtle — The Spacious Place
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” (2 Cor. 1:3-5)
It had been a year I could never have imaged. We lost four family members, including my father and both of my in-laws, in eight months. The burden of grief was taking a toll, emotionally and physically. Tension and pain in my neck, shoulders, and ribcage were the result of months of stress. Deciding I needed a little self-care, I scheduled a massage to try and get some relief. Toward the end of my session, the massage therapist noted the tightness in my body and suggested that maybe I had some pent up emotions. I almost laughed at the truth of her statement.
On the way home, I played a voicemail message I had saved from my dad. Admittedly, this wasn't the best decision while driving. Hearing my dad’s voice unlocked my grief, and the tears began to flow.
A few minutes later, my eyes still full of tears, I saw something moving slowly on the road ahead of me. Coming closer, I realized a huge turtle had stopped in my lane.
There was no oncoming traffic, so I could easily have gone around the immobile reptile. But there were cars behind me, and I didn't want this beautiful creature to get squashed, so I decided to take action. I put on my flashers and got out of the car. As I lifted the turtle from the hot pavement, his legs thrashed wildly, trying to get free. It was no small feat getting him to the side of the road without getting scratched by his frantic clawing. The poor thing was terrified. I spoke gently to him, "It's okay, buddy. I'm trying to help. Let me hold you."
In that moment, I heard the Lord in my own words to the turtle. I’m trying to help. Just let me hold you. How long had I been trying to run away from the Lord's comfort and help? He just wanted me to stop and let Him hold me.
In times of difficulty, it’s easy to believe we can take care of ourselves by putting on a brave face and powering through the pain.
My own stubborn refusal to slow down and acknowledge the weight of my grief was preventing me from seeking the one true Comforter. Help was available, and my part was simply to surrender myself into the hands of the “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.” (2 Cor. 1:3)
Maybe, like me—and the turtle in the road—you know what it feels like to find yourself fighting against the help you need, convinced you’re better off managing things yourself. Our culture celebrates strength and self-reliance, but God meets us in weakness and surrender. He sees our suffering and longs to comfort us, even if He has to use a turtle to break through our stubbornness.
What a blessing to have the assurance that “just as we share in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds in Christ.” (2 Cor. 1:5) And what a comfort to know we have a God who will go to such great lengths to meet us in our pain.
