Here’s looking at you!

Yesterday I found a visitor in my yard, a common box turtle was making his way to somewhere as he crossed my property.  I went in and got a camera and micro lens and went out to make some images of him.  When I laid down in the grass to see him eye to eye, he pulled back into his shell and closed up.  I waited for a while and finally I could see his shell just open up a little, then a little more.  It took some time, but finally he was comfortable enough to stick his head out enough to find out where I was.  I remained very still with my face hidden behind the camera.

It struck me how intensely he starred back at me.  I shifted very carefully until he was looking directly at me through two blades of grass.  I really enjoyed the game, I’m not sure whether he felt the same!?  He was never in any danger, because I meant him no harm.  Once again I doubt he knew that either!!!  The box turtle has a natural defense mechanism, if it senses danger it simply goes inside it’s shell and closes the door.

We are guilty of doing the same thing.  When we are in a situation where we are unsure of what might happen, we pull back into our emotional shell.  I had something funny happen some time ago that relates perfectly to this little example.  I was in New York City for a photo show, and each morning we would go down to the garage and stand in the cab line waiting our turn to get a cab. The first morning I arrived when there was no one else in line, and it was a few minute until a cab pulled up.  During the time standing there I talked to the Bellman.  We talked a little sports, and we got to know each other just a little. I found out a little about his family and where he was from, that kid of stuff.  Each morning when I arrived to get a cab, we talked some more.  On the last morning I was standing with some of the other Nikon folks and, once again I visited with the bellman, by now we were like old friends.  When we piled in a cab to go to the show, one of the folks, who lived in the city, turned to me and said, “How did you meet that bellman, where had you known him before coming to New York?”  I said that I just had been talking with him each morning and I guess we had become acquaintances.  My friend said, “you seem to be friendly to everyone, even people you don’t know, why is that? ”  I answered “Why not?”

I understand that things are different in the city, but they don’t have to be!  One of those evenings in New York a group of us walked up to Times Square to get a Five Guys burger.  When we went in and lined up to order there were probably five or six of us.  We were having a great time cutting up and talking and it took a little longer than it should have to get our orders placed.  I was picking up the meal charge so when I got to the cash register to give my order I told the young man taking the orders to please include the man standing behind me in line and add his order to my bill.  I turned to him and said I’m sorry we took so long, please have a burger on me!  He was shocked and couldn’t say thanks enough. My point is not that I’m a great guy, it’s that we can all make little statements everywhere we go about God’s love.  How should we expect others to want to know the God we love if we don’t demonstrate that a relationship with Him changes us!!!

So, the next time you are in an unfamiliar situation try coming out of, instead of pulling back into your shell!

Blessings,

the pilgrim

Post Script:  Sorry about missing yesterday blogging.  Sherelene had a rare Friday off from work and I spent most of the day doing things with her.