There is our new animal friend—see that bump on the log over there? Wait! Let us watch him a little before we get too close. He might jump into the pond if he sees us. This little creature is a cautious fellow, even if he is a little slow. Do you know his name?

The Plodding Turtle: Temperance

If we found our friend farther from the water, we might get a closer look at him. At least a closer look at his shell! That is the amazing and special thing about the turtle. No other animal carries such tight armor around on its back. The turtle uses his shell as protection when he is in danger and can’t run away. He will pull his head and feet inside and just sit still. He can’t go very fast or very far, or jump or bend, because of that hard shell. But it also means a place of safety whenever there is trouble.

Would it be very easy to live with a shell around you? Let us watch our plodding friend and see. The sun is setting, and he swims to the shore for some supper: a few beetles, some tender leaves, and maybe a berry. If he ate too much maybe the shell would get a bit tight! The turtle doesn’t seem worried as he carefully picks his way over the stony ground and through some marsh grass. He is not in a rush, nor is he lazy. That is why we call him the plodding turtle. He just keeps going and does what he needs to do: sleep, eat, walk and swim.

Temperance means being controlled: not doing too much or too little. It means living carefully. Just like the turtle is controlled by his shell and can’t do many things, God wants us to obey Him and not run off on our own. What if the turtle thought, “This shell is a big bother!” and somehow got it off? What a bad time he would have then! Do you know that many of his bones are attached to his shell? He wouldn’t even be able to walk without it!

Just in the same way the Lord designed for us to wear a shell called, “Trust and obey God.” We won’t be able to do things like everyone else, or have everything we want. But it is the safe way for us to live. When we do what is right, we’re protected from the dangers around us. God will keep us from getting into trouble and living selfishly. Proverbs 3:6 tells us this promise: “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” When we have God’s control on us, we’ll plod along, doing what is right, knowing that He will take care of us.