Today I sit wondering about the way of life.  The way we learn.....the things that happen to us.....how we react.  Sometimes, it seems to me that life is one step forward two steps back.  I feel that I must finally be on the right track then WHAM!  something totally unexpected comes along and makes me question.

Recently, I have had a couple of experiences which have caused me to withdraw.  I feel like our turtle "Uncle Sam" must feel.  When we try to touch his soft "skin", he sometimes hisses at us as if saying "STOP, WARNING!" before pulling his head and legs, and arms inside that shell.  Nothing we can do will cause him to come out again.  Nothing.  However, when he is all inside his tough, thick, protective shell, he can't be mobile.  He can't move from one place to another.  He can only sit very still in the same place.  He can't drink or eat.  He must keep eternal vigil.  Though he is somewhat "protected" he is paralyzed in a sense.  I very much want to move about the world.  I want to experience life and give of myself to others.  I want to "eat" to learn, to grow.  Yet, here I sit in this "protected" but very lonely place. 
How to get out of this shell?

God promises to be with us always.  Jesus knows all about our sorrow.  I can trust God enough to obey his command to be the salt of the earth.  I need to remember to think of the lost world more than my own pain. 

Questions remain.  God is there