In the freezing winter I was often drawn to the pond by interesting designs in the ice. Suspended bubbles, cracks and funnel-like divots made the pond a cold, unworldly slab of art. This day I stood musing over a waving snowman when a murky edge of orange beneath the ice caught my eye. There as still as a stone was a turtle, seemingly frozen in time under my feet. I slid my sole over it, begging it to move, but it remained motionless in its watery quiescence.
As truly as I was the one frolicking above him, I have, as well, been the one lurking beneath, feeling hopeless and cold. They say one should never break the ice to pull a turtle from its winter doze. It slows and adapts to the cold water which buffers it and will die in the freezing air. God designed that to keep the turtle alive until spring.
As He designed the turtle to withdraw, He designed me to receive–His hope, His comfort, His provision. Even in my depression and bleakness, God is there buffering me. I may not see Him there above me, but He is surely there. I only need to open fully to Him and receive His warmth. He melts my trance. He is my hope, He is my praise.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 43:5
Meeting God at the Park 