Even turtles have hashgaha pratit

I recently bought something online.

When I opened the package, I discovered the device I had ordered was broken.

Naturally, I was very upset about this, especially as this particular device was very important to me.

It meant that, if I wanted a brand new one, I would have to go to the Post Office and mail the old one back for a replacement.

I was so upset, it was draining me.

The very thought of dealing with mailing the broken device back made me even more frustrated.

Someone had screwed up and I had to deal with it.

Anyway, I brought $20 with me because I wanted to get something on my way back.

Now, fast forwarding to after I delivered the package, the word emuna, which means, “a belief” came into my mind.

I thought to myself, “Maybe there was a reason that I had to go to the Post Office.”

“Maybe this was all an hashgaha pratit.”

I told myself that, perhaps, this device was broken for a purpose.

So, I decided to let my guard down and I whispered while looking at the everlasting sky, “Hashem, I know this is from you. What is the reason I had to come here?”

I paused, and looked around me for clues.

Before I knew it, a man ran up to me acting all frenzied.

He sounded out of breath saying, “I got this turtle from the Chinese store.”

He paused, took a deep breath in, and continued speaking rapidly.

“They wanted to kill him for food. So, I paid my last $20.00 to save him. The problem is, since I don’t have any money left for myself to eat, I can’t keep the turtle.  What am I going to feed him?  Anyway, I don’t need money, I was wondering if you might know anyone who could keep him? Or, maybe you could keep him. I’m getting paid on Monday, and until then I really can’t afford to have him.”

And right then and there, as if there was a spirit in me, I pulled the $20 out of my pocket, and gave it to him.

I felt, in that moment, the $20 really belonged to him.

I wanted it to be that that this man, after saving the turtle, wouldn’t actually lose any money.

It was just a feeling in my heart.

He didn’t want to take the money, but I insisted.

I told him to take care of the turtle.

Now, some might say that what happened to me was a coincidence.

And some, such as myself, might see it as a hashgaha pratit.

Whatever the case may be, we all have the ability to make the best out of any situation, even when we buy something broken that we have to return.

Love,

Anat