Sea turtles are amazing creatures. They spend most of their life at sea but when the female is ready to lay her eggs, she comes ashore on the very same beach where she was born! That fact in and of itself is just a wonder of nature. Up to the shore she comes where she digs a very deep hole with her hind flippers and then lays from 100 to 200 eggs depending on the species. It takes anywhere from 40 to 60 days for the baby turtles to hatch. These hatchlings struggle to get out of their nest in what is called a “boil”. Then they have to cross the beach to get to the ocean. That’s a lot of work for such a little turtle!
The hatchlings are at great risk from predators when they make their way to the ocean. Some get lost and go the wrong way. Others are eaten before they ever make it to the ocean. But once the ones who make it are there, they know exactly what to do and they are at home. Instinct kicks in and they swim out to sea.
Okay, great story and incredible feat of nature but what’s the point? The point is that they, like us, have to overcome many things before they are able to lead a productive life in the sea. We, too, have many struggles in life but it’s the struggles that make us stronger and define who we are as individuals. Don’t get so caught up in the struggle that you miss the blessing that comes at the end from knowing you have made it to the other side. As the lyrics from a song by the Christian group Mercy Me says, “Take joy in the journey”. You’ve made it. You’re finally in the ocean and you’re swimming for home!
Blessings, Cindy J
Footprints of Hope 