A Lesson Learned From, "River"

Richard and I spent most of yesterday organizing, packing boxes, cleaning, sorting, making phone calls, and working on our computers. By late afternoon, the boys were becoming restless and wanted our undivided attention. So, when a torrential down pour came, and they asked if they could go and play in it, I consented. The rain provided almost an hour of  unbridled play for my boys, but it also brought with it something else I believe was just as much for me, as it was for them.

After the rain began to subside, Aron came squealing into the house, soaked to his bones, water dripping from nose. He was screaming with delight that he had, "rescued," something from the drain. He insisted I come and see. I followed Aron outside to a hard black and gold tortoise shell. Aron went on to tell me he saw the turtle being carried by the current of rainwater into the storm drain. He was delighted with his life saving endeavor, and spent the rest of the evening outside with his new friend named, River. Suitably named by Aron, because he'd rescued him from the river.

Aron spent a long time trying to get River to poke his head out. He put him on different surfaces outside; thick green grass, in the shallow current of rain water, in mulch, on a pile of dirt. He relocated the turtle until he decided to just hold him gently in the palms of his hands. When the ancient looking reptile poked his nose out from under his shell, it was like watching a chicken hatch from an egg. Immediately, I was struck with how much more vulnerable and weak he appeared to be without the cover of his hard armor. I also, could not help but notice the contrast between the beautiful tortoise shell and its' contents. River was ugly, wrinkled, and weak. His shell was the complete opposite.

Aron gently stroked the top of River's head. Speaking gently and coaxing him to stay out and play. I watched from a distance as my rough edged little boy handled this creature with care and patience. Eventually, River felt comfortable enough in Aron's hands to make himself completely vulnerable. He poked all four limbs out, and began to explore.

Aron attended to River all afternoon and evening. When it was time to come in for bed he pleaded to be able to bring his new friend in for a sleep over. We conceded to the sleep over, with the understanding that River had to return to the wild first thing in the morning. Aron was a fantastic host. He found a long, cardboard box for River and placed paper towels in the bottom. He picked leaves from the tree, and got spinach out of the fridge. He opened a banana and  broke it into bits and laid it next to the tray of water Alex had placed in the box. Aron insisted River's box touch his bed. In the morning Aron freed his house guest. Much to my son's delight the turtle climbed directly into our flower bed, and began to make a bed of his own.

As I reflected on our time with River, I was struck by how much the odd little creature reflected my own walk this past year. Since last September Richard and I have spoken at 31 churches. We have shared our life stories over and over again, making ourselves vulnerable to strangers, and friends alike. I could not help but draw the parallel between River and myself. At the beginning of the Ministry Partnership phase I was very much like River when we met him. I hid underneath my shell, peering out from its' protection. I was safe. I showed up and went through the motions, but I was too afraid to make myself vulnerable to others. As the months have worn on, I have unwittingly made myself more and more accessible to others. It has been scary at times, but the rich rewards of connecting with others when both parties have emerged from their shells are immeasurable.

I, like River had the choice to stay hidden behind a protective shield, only letting others see the pretty stuff in my life. Both the turtle and myself chose to make ourselves accessible to a life changing adventure, brushing up against foreign people, and strange places. I'd like to think that River's 24 hours with us has made an impact on his life, but I know it could never be as impressionable as the marks made on my own life by the people who have come into it over the past 7 months. If I had stayed protected under my armor, their imprints could have never even scratched the surface. I am so grateful God gave me the courage to be authentic with so many others, and for the fact he sent a turtle named River to show me the beauty in how far He has brought me.