Drinking Deep

The daycare kids keep track of our backyard box turtle. They're enthralled when he shows up to plod across the yard and disappears only to show up again in a few days. Sometimes one of kids will be reaching under a bush to retrieve a ball and come out with the turtle instead.

The turtle is a great way to teach a little science, a little kindness and a lot about faith. We talk about how he carries his house with him so he's always at home, how to make the backyard a good place for turtles and people to live, and a lot about God.

Turtles bring up a lot of questions about God. How did God get the turtle in the shell? WHY did God put the turtle in the shell? Why are turtles so quiet and why didn't God make them to run fast?

They usually answer their own questions.

I learn a lot. The kids are very good at seeing God at work in nature and they often open my eyes in new ways.

I was reminded of this today as I was watering our gardens. I was thinking of Mass last night. Kevin really wanted to be there so we went in spite of my concerns. The last month has him feeling as drained and dry as this summer's drought has left our gardens. He wanted to be renewed and St. Tom's was the perfect place for him to find that renewal in friends and prayer. It was good for him to see friends. Beth hugged him carefully and settled him into a pew with a pillow. He needed the hugs even more than the pillow.

As I watered one parched area of the garden, the box turtle came plodding across the lawn to bury his face and drink deep in a puddle.

I watched him and thought how much our prayer life mimics life in the garden.

Parched and dry, empty. Then drinking deep in prayer and friendship--in communion--so we can move forward through another day.