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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.ƂĀ  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.



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