Trudy

Lessons From a Sea Turtle

Keep Following the True Light

When sea turtles hatch and dig their way out of the sand, they follow the light of the moon over the ocean, their home. Sometimes when clouds cover the light of the moon or there are too many beachfront artificial lights, they get disoriented. Recently in a movie, I saw some sea turtle protectors guide them on a cloudy night. The turtles saw another distant light, so they turned towards it. The protectors formed a line on their knees to block out the false light while one of them got on his boat and shone a bright light several feet from shore. The turtles turned again and finally arrived at their ocean home.

It sounds a lot like our spiritual journey in this life, doesn’t it? We may be following the True Light of love to dip ourselves into the healing waters of His grace, but distractions or temptations in this world can lure us and lead us away from Him. Maybe it’s not always intentional, but we get confused by all the artificial lights. Even Satan can masquerade himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), and he constantly works to turn us away from the True Light. I’m so glad that He who is the Light of the world shines and prevails over all false lights and draws us to Himself, aren’t you?

“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said,
‘I am the Light of the world.
If you follow Me,
you won’t have to walk in darkness,
because you will have the light that leads to life.'”
John 8:12
Never Give Up When the Going Gets Tough

Green sea turtle babies are only 2 inches long. It’s a looong walk to the ocean. Then there are the obstacles. Can you imagine what a big footprint in the sand or a piece of driftwood would look like to such a tiny turtle? In a video, I saw one flip to its back because of the deepness of the footprint, but he flipped himself back upright and kept on heading to the ocean. They persevere and trudge onward.

Photo by Mark Sullivan, NOAA affiliate.

Our journeys here on earth can be filled with mountains of troubles and pits of difficulties, obstacles that set us back or make us want to sit down in despair and forget about putting one foot in front of the other towards our eternal home with Jesus.

These little turtles persevere in the midst of obstacles and challenges, even in danger from predators. Cannot the same God who created them and gives them strength to move on also give us strength to endure?

No, it’s not easy, but God’s powerful love and mercy are more than enough, and He is always available, regardless of what situation we’re in. Yes, maybe we will feel flipped upside-down and unable to flip ourselves right-side-up again to keep going. But He promises us that His power is made perfect in weakness. He never said there won’t be troubles in this world, but He has promised He has a plan for our good and He’ll get us through.

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you,
for My power is made perfect in weakness.'”
2 Corinthians 12:9a
“But You, Lord, do not be far from me.
You are my strength; come quickly to help me.”
Psalm 22:19
“I have told you these things,
so that in Me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33


“A Living Prayer”
by Alison Krauss

“In this world I walk alone with no place to call my home
But there’s one who holds my hand
The rugged road through barren lands
The way is dark, the road is steep
But He’s become my eyes to see
The strength to climb, my griefs to bear
The Savior lives inside me there…”

“I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources
He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit.”
Ephesians 3:16

40 comments

    • Thank you, Antasha. Yes, God gives us such unwavering support and love. I love turtles, too. In fact, I love all God’s creation. 🙂 And it’s amazing how much God teaches us through His creatures, isn’t it? I just visited your site. I’m so sorry for all the pain you went through in your life. I hope the best for you and your son. May we keep following our true source of light and comfort in God!

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    • Thank you, Martha. It’s such an amazing blessing that Jesus chooses to walk with us, isn’t it? Blessings to you, too! Are you and Danny back from your break? I hope it was rejuvenating for both of you! May we keep moving towards the True Light and remember Jesus walks with us!

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  3. Inspirational and motivating at the same time! Thank you, Trudy, for always reminding me… I’m not walking my path alone ❤ And again, your photos are outstanding!! LOVE sea turtles!! ❤

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    • Thank you, Jennifer. I was awed by what I learned about sea turtles. It started with a Hallmark movie called The Beach House. I was intrigued to learn more about them. It’s amazing what God’s creatures teach us, isn’t it? As you have experienced yourself with Jack. 🙂 The photos here are free images I found, so I can’t take credit for them. 🙂 May we daily remember we are not walking alone! Jesus is right beside us even in those times when we can’t “feel” Him!

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  4. This is a beautiful analogy and I love all the pictures of the sea turtles! I especially loved the part about the protectors blocking out the artificial light and shining the true light so the sea turtles could find the right way. That’s what I feel I am being called to do right now in a situation where it seems others are being led astray, and it’s not easy, so I was really encouraged that the protectors were able to lead the turtles home in the end, and by the reminder that in the end the true light always prevails. Love and hugs to you!

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    • Oh Lesley, I’m so glad this encourages you that in the end the true light always prevails. I pray God will give you strength, wisdom, and courage as you continue to be a protector to those who are being led astray. Love and hugs to you, too! May we all be protectors to those who are disoriented and have lost their way and may we lead them in love towards the True Light!

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    • Thank you, Lois. Yes, God’s creatures surely are amazing. We can learn so much from them. When life turns us upside-down, it can be hard to persevere, can’t it? I’m so grateful for God’s sufficient grace to carry us through. Through all the troubles on this journey, may we open our hearts to His powerful love and faithful presence!

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  7. I love those little sea turtles. I’m actually at the beach on the Atlantic coast this week and they’ve mentioned that tis the season for the turtles! I love your point that even artificial light, innocent enough, can distract us from the true Light. We have to keep our bearings about us. Thanks for this encouragement, Trudy!

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    • I’m glad you were encouraged, Lisa. Yes, we certainly do have to keep our bearings about us. So cool that you’re at the beach! I hope you get to see the sea turtles in action. 🙂 May God give us grace to break away from distractions and follow the True Light!

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  8. ‘Confused by the artificial lights.’ Ain’t that the truth, Trudy. And how easily that happens when we’re not focused on Who we need to be focused on, when our minds are scattered and our hearts untethered.

    A gentle nudge for me this morning. Thank you, friend …

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    • Yes, that does happen so easily, Linda. I need the nudge, too, to keep focused on Jesus. I love how you put that – when our hearts are untethered. So true. Oh, how we need to be tethered to Jesus to keep us from getting confused. May we keep following the True Light, surrendering our hearts and lives to His way and remembering He is with us no matter what!

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  10. What a perfect analogy, dear Trudy! And I have always thought of myself as rather “slow moving” like a tortoise or turtle… but perseverance ultimately gets me there… You can imagine, then, how much I relate to this beautiful post of yours! Thank you! This one is unforgettable for me and I will carry its encouragement with me always! Love and huge hugs to you, my wonderful friend!! ❤ ❤

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  11. Trudy, these are gorgeous photos and you have drawn a beautiful analogy from the life of sea turtles! We certainly do mimic their behaviour in being enticed by the dazzling lights of this world. Oh to have the Light of Christ beaming brighter than any other and keeping our hearts and minds centred on Him alone! And may our lives become a living prayer as we seek to shine like little homing beacons in the darkness. Thank you for this thoughtful reflection. Blessings, love and hugs! xo 💜

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    • Yes, those dazzling lights of the world can be so alluring, Joy. I pray with you that we will seek to shine like little homing beacons in the darkness, beaming from the light of Christ within us! May our hearts be ever drawn to and fixed on the Light of Christ, allowing Him to lead us in His way! Blessings, love, and hugs to you, too!

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  12. Dear Trudy,
    I’ve been on a blogging break with limited connections here, as my husband is recuperating from his knee surgery. I am so glad I was able to stop over and visit your words that are just so timely for us now. Some days it does feel like we have been flipped upside down. But what a wonderful Lord we have, who is always here bringing us His help and relief. And such a beautiful song that you shared too! Thank you for being a blessing from the Lord tonight, my friend! Love & hugs to you! xo

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    • I hope your husband is healing and getting stronger, Bettie. Also that you are getting enough rest and being given sufficient grace. I’m so glad these words were timely. Those flipped upside down days can be so difficult, can’t they? Thanking God with you for His faithful help and relief. Love and hugs to you, too! May God give us strength in the midst of our weakness to keep flipping right side up again and keep following the light of His love!

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    • Yes, isn’t it amazing what God’s creation teaches us about Him? I’m glad you enjoyed this, June. Blessings on your Mother’s Day as well! May we keep following the Light of the World, trusting in His plan for us!

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