One never knows what one will find in the early morning hours. For instance, the other morning I got up from reading to go grab a second cup of coffee and upon returning found four turkeys in our yard.
One was obviously the “leader” as he was up front and walking forward steadily at a good pace. A second one stood still for a lengthy period of time. The third one passed by the second to follow in the tracks of the second, only he did not walk or strut. He hopped! I kid you not. He hopped the entire way as he traveled from our yard, into the neighbors yard and beyond. The fourth, literally walked in circles until finally, he settled into the tracks of the leader.
The third one hopped his way back to the second one and pecked him. Literally. One swift peck which I will assume was done forcefully because that second one ran like the dickens in the path of the leader all the way through to the next yard.
Watching those four turkeys made me laugh this morning as sat with my coffee. But also brought some thoughts … We all journey through life but we all don’t journey quite the same.
Some may be leaders walking through confidently, understanding where they are headed and they just keep on going. They don’t stop or pause to take notice of who is coming with them or behind them.
Some trod through life following in the steps of another, hoping it will get them through somehow, and they get stuck.
Others follow in the steps of another, passing those who get stuck, to catch up to the leader. They don’t want to stop and get stuck as well. But their hearts are moved with compassion and they return to the one who is stuck. With a peck, they both get back on track and head back on their journey.
And others may seem to go round in circles for a bit but find their place and way after a while, joining back with their flock.
I watched the four until they were back together, continued on their way, and were out of sight.
At various times in my life, I may have seemed like each one of these birds – as a leader, as one stuck, a hopper filled with compassion, and as one going in circles. God’s grace and mercy met me right where I was to get me back on the right path to journey on with Him.
It was the “hopper” who held my full attention. He looked ridiculous as he neither walked, ran, or flew. He looked out of character and yet, his character was never more on display than when he returned for the one who was stuck.
We will never look more like Jesus than when our hearts are moved with compassion for the “stuck”. May it be His character which is seen in us as we journey through this life.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:23-25, NASB)
We’re called to go back for the one who is stuck to stimulate them, and give them cause to keep on going. We’re called to encourage one another, all the more, in increasing measure as the day draws near.
I googled to read some interesting facts about turkeys. I wasn’t sure what they are called when there is a number of them. Are they a family? A flock? A herd?
Interestingly enough, they are called a rafter, an old fashioned name for a gaggle.
A short while later, my husband looked up to discover this – yes, all six of them up in the trees. Perhaps that is the reason they are called a rafter. They instinctively take to the heights to keep themselves protected from predators. And we can do the same …
“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”
(Isaiah 40:31, NASB)
May we learn from these turkeys –
Encourage those who are stuck, and
go to the heights to overcome.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you. If you share on social media, the hashtag #LetsHaveCoffee would be greatly appreciated!
Today I am joining …
What great lessons you drew from some unexpected turkeys! I never thought about turkeys getting up in trees. I guess I never saw one fly before.
Barbara, they are an amazing and amusing sight to see as they aren’t most adept at flying 🙂
We get a giggle from our neighborhood turkey rafter (Love that!), and we can certainly learn from our feathered friends!
Michele, I never realized until that day how funny their antics can be. And of course, I love the way God teaches me a thing or two right from my own backyard.
I learned things about turkeys today! 🙂 Interesting. We saw a few rafters this past weekend on a road excursion. This truth reminds me that we need to all have grace toward each other: “We all journey through life but we all don’t journey quite the same.” Thanks, Joanne!
The sight of these turkeys attempting to get up in the trees was as humorous as watching them come down. They are not a graceful bunch but they sure entertained us as well as bring some things to remember.
Wild Turkeys are so beautiful! And smart. I love learning spiritual lessons from nature. Right now, I’m the hopping turkey. A little bike crash has me hopping all over with crutches and I’m glad for my ‘rafter’ that helps me out!
Oh Anita, I am so sorry you are hobbling about. I do hope you recover quickly and am grateful for those who have gathered around you!
Joanne, such a fun post! And I LOVE object lessons, but until today haven’t learned anything from a turkey! We have some wild turkeys living out back in our woods, I’ll have to pay more attention to them. The analogy about helping those who are stuck, is precious, thank you, Joanne!
Donna, we have seen turkeys off and on in our yard but never this many. And we have never seen their antics on full display. This was a treat for us and I am grateful for the thoughts those turkeys have continued to stir.
I love this post, Joanne! So much to learn from a bunch of big birds in the yard. And I also can’t miss this opportunity to say what a wonderful encourager YOU are. (I’m not calling you a turkey, but your words about the “hopper” did make me smile!) Hugs, friend!
Lois, your comment made me laugh. I am sure I have been every one of those turkeys at various times in my life 🙂 Hopefully I am the encouraging one most often! It is also good to smile and laugh at ourselves at times. I know these birds provided some good comic relief for both my husband and I!
Wow! Beautiful and inspiring truths, Joanne! I needed this post and message today. I’m feeling like both the one who got pecked and the one going in circles. The grief over a loss has me wallowing for a bit in my pain. But God is speaking to me. Maybe He’s the compassionate one–oh, I know He is! But He also is no turkey! 😉 Thank you for reminding me to soar up to where I can look down on the troublesome predators and be safe next to my Savior!
Beth, neither the pecking nor going in circles are very good experiences. May God redeem your grief and bring something good is my prayer.
This must have been quite a sight! Great analogies.
My husband and I watched them for quite some time. It was as amusing as they were amazing 🙂
Thanks for passing along the lessons you learned from the turkeys! We can learn so much from nature. I think that I too have been like each one of the turkeys -a leader, stuck, going in circles, and feeling compassion.
It is amazing to me the lessons I learn from observing nature around me. I, too, have absolutely been every one of these turkeys.
Thank you for this confirmation to me from the Lord to help a specific “stuck” person get unstuck.