Turtle Tracks in Wet Concrete. Horrifying or Incredible?

 

"Today, I spent the whole morning pouring this concrete path, carefully making sure every inch was smooth and perfect. Took a short break, came back, and boom, this turtle had taken its sweet time strolling through like it was making a VIP entrance. At first, I was pretty pissed, knowing I’d have to redo the whole thing. 

But as I looked at those little tracks, I couldn’t help but laugh. I guess I learned something important today: no matter how slow you are, you can still leave a big mark… and I don’t know if I should redo it or leave it as a piece of art." 

The best made plans don’t always turn out as we envisioned. The truth is that life gets interrupts our plans and that is when we need to pivot. The more rigid we are the more upsetting the hiccups feel. The more flexible we are the easier it is to step over that stone in our path. What would happen if this concrete guy left those turtle tracks in the sidewalk? Perhaps the imperfection would make that section more interesting and memorable as others journey past. But whether he chooses to leave it or repair it, this caused him to shift his day and his task. 

Jesus was always journeying toward a place in his ministry but he also paused along the way to interact with those who interrupted him. Those are the moments that made it into the Bible. They mattered. The destination was not the only lesson to be learned or the only miracle to come to life. One of my prayers is to be more flexible. It is so much easier now that I am retired. But even in the hurried seasons it is important to embrace the segways along the way. 

This Japanese repair speaks to this. It doesn’t look at an accidental break as damaging beyond repair but rather as an opportunity to create an even more valuable object than the original. I love that way of thinking. To often I am frustrated by the missteps in life rather than viewing them as the opportunities that they are.  

This week I had a long list of to do items before our upcoming trip. Saturday I sat on the floor in my closet to discard clothes I no longer wear. I wrenched my back. This led me to cancel appointments that I thought were crucial, add appointments that were now critical with my chiropractor. I had to pause to ice when I wanted to be preparing for my trip. But this has also allowed my grandgirl to help me when I am usually helping her. She is incredible in her assistance and it matters to both of us. Things will get done. I will be healed. The trip will be incredible with my Ronnie B. I just need to be flexible about what my last week at home for awhile will look like. 

Opportunities come desguised as hiccups in life. Let’s be flexible enough to see just what treasures they can bring. 

In Him,

Joyful

8-19-25