Turtles

 I don’t know why we were talking about turtles,

But Barb-the-Art-Teacher and I were talking about turtles last weekend

When she shared with me this story:

 

Barb was leaving her house when she spotted a large turtle wandering down the driveway, away from the pond.

Being Barb, she knew that the turtle wasn’t a snapping turtle and that it shouldn’t hurt her.

Instinctively, she stopped to move the turtle out of her way.

When she did, she noticed that the turtle was covered in leeches.

She said that he had two really large, gross leeches near his neck,

And a bunch of smaller leeches on his legs.

Again being Barb, she instinctively decided to help the poor turtle.

She got a stick and removed the leeches from his neck—

Which she said was very gross and gave evidence that they had been there a long time—

And then she removed the leeches from his legs.

 

Now. If I had been a turtle with leeches on me,

Then I would have been grateful for someone helping me out.

But, this turtle was not!

Barb said the turtle gave her a very mean turtle look and hissed at her while she was trying to help.

She then called him a name and released him to go to “the next pond to spread his DNA.”

 

While Barb was telling this story,

I couldn’t help but think about the times that we give very mean looks and hiss at those trying to help us.

We usually do this in moments when we need the most help—

Like when we’re trying to build something but have it wrong—

Or when we’re lost and need directions—

Or when we’re distracted but need to focus—

Or when we’re about to do something stupid because we don’t know what we’re doing.

 

True. Sometimes people try to change us when they shouldn’t.

But oftentimes people try to help us because we really do need the help.

And oftentimes those who care for us see the leeches that we are blinded to feel.

 

Oh God: Help us to be grateful turtles when our Barb’s try to help us. And help us to help others with humility and a sincerity of heart rather than arrogance and a self-righteous spirit. Amen.