Check out this perfectly designed well-camouflaged turtle. Do you see the letters GOD engraved in it or perhaps autographed by its Maker the way a “high-end” designer brands an item with a hand-stamped custom made imprint?
At first I missed it, and then came back to the image a few minutes later and it popped out at me. If you do not see it, look again. It’s there, I promise.
The message for me at first glance of this turtle is nothing, no effect, nada. It’s just a turtle a child-hood friend posted on my Facebook wall. I did not see God in it, however when I look again I see God’s handprint on this creature carrying the name of God Himself.
This teaches me at first-look we may not see God in everyday circumstances that are right in front of us but when we look again, we can see God has His hand in it.
On a personal level, at first glance I did not see why my California “calling/journey” has been delayed but with a second glance it pops out at me.
I need to spend the summer in New Jersey with my children as my youngest one gets a permit to drive a car any day now. I will never have the opportunity again to share in that milestone life-experience of my son grabbing the wheel for the first time and him saying hand me the keys Dad. Soon enough in Harry Chapin style he will say “See you later can I have them please?”
We don’t always see God’s hand right away but when we dig a little deeper we see God acting in our life when we rely on Him for guidance. God knows my son and I need this time together more than I need time in a different State right now as He leads me to an auspicious Jersey summer.
God is hidden in this turtle.
When God is hidden it leaves us nothing to believe in. I want to believe even when I do not see Him. Bruce Springsteen was on to something when he wrote “Still at the end of every hard earned day people find some reason to believe.”
My reason for believing is because God’s handprint is everywhere and I know He is present. The problem is you may miss Him if you do not look for Him. Do you see God on the turtle? The message is, if at first you do not see God in it, look again. Do you see God in “everyday” things as simple as a turtle? Do tell.
Just a guy on a Journey! 
I am very happy your journey is leading you back to NJ, so you could spend those precious moments with your kids .Family is so important. .:-)
You are right , we don’t always see God’s hand. Specially when other things get in our way, and are keeping us from continue our journey!!.
Those things like a “past” blind us for what God is telling us to do.
God wants the best for children , but at times we are so busy dwelling on bad experiences, that we miss precious opportunities or people that God puts in front of us for a reason.
Is part of life , and a learning process to be more aware for what God wants for us.
Awesome article as always Tim.;-)
Thanks for your valuable input Norma.
¡Gracias Timoteo!, Te deseo lo mejor en esta nueva etápa de tu vida.
Gracias por tu amistad.
Te vamos a extrañar en Texas.
Que Dios te bendiga y a toda tu familia.
Gracias. Yo escribro siempre. 🙂
Have a safe trip and keep in touch. Good luck always, Dorothy
This is great, Tim, as always! We will definitely miss you here in Texas, but you will be blessed spending the summer with your kids. God is with you!
Tim, I bet that turtle would bring a fortune on ebay…