Hey Frieeeennnnndddd!

Caption this photo.

One could use the following....

*What's up?

*Hey Friend!

*Throw me some popcorn.

*I love you.

*We are.....

*(Sing) "Teenage mutant ninja turtles..."

*Don't tread on me!

Actually, this small fellow was in the Little Juniata River in Huntingdon county. His shell was about 5 inches across and he was hiding in the shadow of a submerged rock. It wasn't until I reached into the water that his defensive hiding turned into offensive maneuvering. His back legs were scraping at my hand and he was craning his neck back toward my fingers. He meant to do me harm. Even before I reached in to lift him up, I recognized the telltale signs of a snapping turtle. If you met two turtles on a path and one was a snapping turtle next to a wood turtle, could you tell the difference?

Hint: Look for a rougher shell and jagged tail. Another obvious sign might be the open mouth waiting to clamp down on your hand.

Knowing this little fellow was a snapping turtle helped me determine how I would approach and handle this creature. After our face to face encounter, I lowered him back into the water and watched him move away into another dark space underneath a rock.

Every day brings us into close proximity with many dangers. Some of these we identify and others come into our space and we are unaware. Difficulties arise when we clearly identify the danger and still barge forward to interact with said danger. Would anyone have felt sorry for me if this little fellow left his mark on me? I would have deserved the rebuke.

Jesus had something to say about being observant and carefully proceeding forward well aware of dangerous things.

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves

his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to

keep watch. “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come

back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes

suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ ”

(Mark 13:32-37, NIV)

Using caution, live today with assurance that your faith in Christ provides security. You simply watch and always be ready.