Lessons From a Sea Turtle

As I type this, I am resting on our Airbnb couch, sipping a cup of rooibos tea, and coming to grips with the fact that we’ve hit the half-way mark of our (Annie's and my) trip to Hawaii. Just a few days ago Annie and I were on the beach, wading in the ocean when I noticed a dark silohette in wall of the waves rolling towards us. Sting ray? Manta ray? Shark? Fear crept up within me as I prepared to turn and run towards the shoreline. But then I noticed 4 small fin-like legs and a head peering from the dark shadow - a sea turtle!

As he tumbled and twirled in the waves, I stood in amazement watching the big guy use his strength to pull him back out to open water. Wave after wave pushed him closer to the shore. Others close by stopped in amazement to watch this natural wonder work his back to open water. Eventually the waves calmed and he made his way back out through the rolling water to his home.

I’m a sucker for a good metaphor, so I’ve got to share what I took from this small encounter. It’s interesting how sometimes in life we see a silhouette of something coming towards us and our initial reaction to prepare for the worst, turn and look for safety, and get ready to run. Yet, sometimes the unknown could bring more joy than we’d imagined. When I realized what I thought was a stingray turned out to be an adult sea turtle, the feelings fear turned to relief and then quickly to joy and wonder.

I’m in a place right now of uncertainty. I have a difficult year of teaching ahead - I’ve been asked to teach a “combination class” - I’ll have kindergarteners and first graders in the same classroom. As I look forward into my next year, this new role has seemed a bit like a unknown shadow. I’ve never taught two grades at once. Fear begins to grip me, questions lurk in mind - “I’m not even sure I’m capable of teaching one grade well, how will it go for me to teach two grades at the same time?” Or “Is this year going to work? Will I prove I am a successful teacher?”

As these kinds of questions continue to pour through my mind, God continues to remind me of sweet and gentle truths - comforting my soul that all will be well.

Choose curiosity over judgement.

As learned from my sea turtle friend - dark and ambiguous shadows will always show up in our life, so how can we prepare our heart for wonder rather than fear? Choose curiosity. Consider purposeful questions:

• What unknown thing could be coming towards me?

• How will I choose to respond?

• How can I find joy in this unknown?

• What does hope look like here?

Choose acceptance over assertion.

I’ve been reading through the book of Luke again (this time in the Message version) and I’m continually learning new things. In the particular passage I was reading through today, Jesus’ disciples are arguing over who would be the greatest or the most famous. And Jesus’ response? He brings a child to Himself and tells his followers,

“Whoever accepts this child, as if this child were me, accepts me. And who accepts me, accepts the One who sent me. You become great by accepting not asserting. Your spirit, not your size makes all the difference.” (Luke 9:46-48 MSG)

Jesus’ words calm and quiet me. As I sit here worrying about doing the best job, and making the biggest different, I am reminded about what humble influence we can have by the simple acceptance of children and our spirit as we work. This doesn’t means I can sit back in laziness, but it does mean that I can rest assured that my Maker is more concerned about my heart than my “instagram-able classroom” or perfectly typed out lesson plans. He’s after my soul.

Value faithfulness over success.

This is connected with the idea above, it is something God continues to bring to my heart and mind as I work and teach. During my first year of teaching, when I was at a low point, a sweet friend of mine reminded me of this “Audrey, you’re called to be faithful, not always successful.” After a long day, where I felt I failed at teaching my lesson just right or managing a class of 6-year-olds, these words would ring true.

Even now, I still need to be reminded of this truth. I’ve been reading the book Satisfied by Alyssa Joy Bethke during our trip (the author is also from Hawaii so it's made the book hit home even more while we’ve been here!). Bethke’s words are encouragement:

“Jesus’ words wash over me with peace and true lasting joy again and again. He doesn’t call me to be successful; He instructs me to be faithful. He doesn’t call me to be always available to all people but he tells me to be fully present and to love people well. He tells me that hearts are what matters most... He holds me in the palm of His hand.”

It’s still a bit scary doing things you’ve never done before (like teaching two grades at once!) and I think that’s okay. But I’m learning to embrace this new school year with curiosity, acceptance, and faithfulness.

With Love,

Audrey