Short Stories

BASKING

by Debbie Kennedy
04/29/18
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Does anybody else love the ocean?! What captivates you about it?  I don’t live near the ocean, so when I have opportunity to be near it, I linger. Several years ago, I discovered that I enjoy snorkeling. It allows me to peek below the surface of the ocean – it’s inhabitants have always intrigued me. Four nights at The Honokeana Cove Resort on the west side of Maui was like my dream place to snorkel. I was beyond excited to visit again. Why?! The Hawaiian, green sea turtles hang out in this private, calm, and beautiful cove!

The Hawaiian’s simply call these marine reptiles “Honu”. The first morning I wasted no time walking down to the rocky beach of the cove to see if I could spot any turtles up near the surface of the water. From past stays near the cove, I remembered being able to see their heads pop up out of the water for breaths from time to time at a distance. Right away I spotted a few turtles near some rocks along the shoreline nibbling on the algae. They blend in with the rocks, which makes them harder to spot if you are not intentionally looking for them. Their shells are often brown, grey, black or dark olive colored.  

When my husband and I got into the water to snorkel, we were both excited to see a rather large sea turtle hovering in the shallow water.  We were respectful of the turtle and kept a space to not distress it. Green sea turtles are fully protected under the federal Endangered Species Act and under Hawaii state law. The mandated protection has obviously made the reefs of Hawaii a haven for green sea turtles. They are to observe, but not harass. To snorkel and swim alongside them and watch them gracefully propel themselves beneath the surface in their environment is unforgettable. I was able to capture a beautiful photo of one of these gentle giants, a few years ago on my first visit to the cove area, on the surface of the turquoise water. The radiant rays of the sun shining down into the water highlighted the dark colored sea turtle.  I had to have the photo blown up in size and it hangs on my wall – marvel moments!

What I didn’t know is that I was about to experience another marvel moment this trip as well. There I was enjoying the sunshine with a good book in a lounge chair just above the cove area, when I heard another gal shout excitedly, “There’s five of them now!” Jumping up from my chair I joined a few others to witness what she was pointing at. Indeed, five sea turtles had come up, out of the water – basking on the rocks! What a sight that was. I stood along with a few others and watched the calm, water of the cove below us for a bit then returned to my own position of basking in the sun. Periodically I would get up and see if the turtles were still sleeping on the rocks of the cove.  Resting turtles, eyes closed with the sunshine engulfing them. This vision of basking….it would linger, then settle down deeper in this heart.

The longer I stayed to watch them, I witnessed a couple more turtles come to the edge of the water and literally use their flippers to slowly lurch out of the water. Their big bulky shells might look like a hindrance from our perspective, but with each lurch they positioned themselves a little higher up. Obviously, they knew when they reached their point of resting because their eyes seemed to close quite quickly after they stopped moving. Fascinating!

 Before the end of a couple hours I took photos of ten basking sea turtles –  wish I could include that photo to share.  I spoke with one older gentleman- a so- called snowbird…I met quite of few of them- whom owned one of the condominium units at the cove. He visited every year and reported to me that one year he counted thirty turtles on shore at the cove. Wow!  Interesting to me was the fact that he shared a little tidbit that he had just learned. He said that the sunshine not only helps warm these marine reptiles, but it also helped the health of their shells. The sunshine dried up any organisms on the outside of their shells causing them to fall off, leaving the turtle in better health.

The four days I was able to stay at the cove, I noticed a few of the turtles returned each afternoon to bask on those rocks. Instincts caused them to return to get their fill of what they needed or perhaps enjoyed. After a short period, they returned to the ocean.  So many thoughts I had. Basking. The definition of basking (v.) 1.  to expose oneself pleasantly to warmth  2. To thrive in the presence of a pleasant or advantageous influence.  Goodness, I enjoy the sunshine!  But we also farm and grow things, so I’m completely aware of its necessity for so many things.  Nature always lifts my mind to God- the creator! What an intricate designer He is. He knows everything each of his created beings would need.

When I returned home I read a few articles online about sea turtles. I guess I was a little enamored with them. It’s enjoyable to investigate what captures our attention- you know, just to learn a bit more perhaps?! When I read that these turtles probably have been around for 150 million years, I felt compelled to read about creation in the book of Genesis during my devotional time. After all, this is back to the dramatic beginning. I hadn’t thought about dinosaurs and prehistoric beasts for quite some time as we live in the now.  I marveled over the text as I read about creation and revisited the scene– my heart danced a bit! My way of saying I was basking in God’s goodness and presence in my life!

 Think about it a fresh…. all those centuries ago, God spoke this world into existence. WOW…it’s hard to wrap our heads around that. The Bible tells us in the book of Genesis in the very first chapter that God created the heavens and earth. The earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Let your mind go there. I encourage you to read the account for yourselves- maybe something fresh will delight you again as you immerse yourself in the scene! Maybe it will stir questions, or perhaps you will gain deeper insight.  Gaze upon the sun, the moon, the stars, the sky, the ocean and all creation - sea turtles if you get a chance! God is so good; His spirit still hovers over everything. This includes His people. His spirit dwells within us today. Praise Him. Psalm 70:4 – May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”

In Genesis 1: 27 it says- God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them…and then in verse 28 God blessed them and says be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth , and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth. As you refresh on God’s creation story, don’t skip anything as you read. Notice the order and consider repeated words. The last   verse, Genesis 1:31 -And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good, and He approved it completely.  He rested on the seventh day.

 Friends, I encourage you today to bask in God’s presence and love and all His goodness! Take a moment now and do that. His love for you is constant! He created you special and with purpose and longs for you to know Him more fully.  Believe and receive His truth daily.  Take care of your whole body (mind, body and spirit) To stay balanced we all need to consistently make sure we get the right amounts of healthy nourishment, rest, work, play, time alone with God, and time to enjoy godly relationships. God provides everything we need to stay fit and enjoy years of fruitfulness and fulfillment – that’s His plan.  What is it that you need? Matthew 11:28 has a great invitation for each of us- Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Prayer: Lord, there is one thing we ask, that we will seek after you, that we will dwell in your house all the days of our lives, to gaze upon your beauty Lord and inquire of you.